Memet Sıddık Akış, the democratically elected Kurdish Co-mayor of Hakkari (Colemêrg), was detained by Turkish authorities on 3 June and replaced by the Governor of Hakkari, in a move denounced by the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) as an attack on Kurdish democratic rights.
Akış, a member of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, secured his position with 48.92% of the vote in the local elections of 31 March, despite allegations of voter fraud and the use of “ghost voters” by the ruling coalition of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). The investigation that led to Akış’s dismissal is based on allegations deemed unfounded by the DEM party.
In their statement, the KNK said, “The AKP-MHP regime attempted to manipulate the election through fraudulent means, yet the will of the Kurdish electorate prevailed.” They pointed out that Akış won despite significant efforts to undermine the vote, including the alleged use of soldiers flown and bussed in as ‘voters’.
The congress also criticised the appointment of Hakkari Governor Ali Çelik as a trustee, highlighting past accusations of financial misconduct against him. “During his previous term, Çelik was accused of embezzling funds, leaving the municipality with a debt of 315,705,000 Turkish Lira,” the KNK asserted.
This latest action against Akış is seen as part of a broader pattern of repression following local elections. Similar measures were taken after the 2019 elections, where many DEM Party-led municipalities were placed under forced administration, and several mayors were imprisoned.
The KNK called on international bodies, including the Council of Europe and the European Union, to take a stand against what they describe as Erdoğan’s “political coup d’état”. The congress urged support for the democratic rights of the Kurdish people and solidarity with the DEM Party.
Turkey, as a member of the Council of Europe and an EU candidate, is expected to adhere to democratic principles, the KNK stressed. They warned that the ongoing suppression of Kurdish political representation threatens the country’s democratisation process and the peaceful resolution of the Kurdish issue.
*Subsequent to the release of the above KNK statement, Memet Sıddık Akış has received a prison sentence of 19 years and six months for alleged terrorist activity, resulting in protests across the country.
