Tunceli (Dersim) Co-mayor Cevdet Konak, of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, and the Republican People’s Party (CHP)-affiliated mayor of Ovacık, Mustafa Sarıgül, have been sentenced to six years and three months in prison for “membership of a terrorist organisation”. The verdict was handed down by the Tunceli High Criminal Court, which decided not to impose pre-trial detention on the two mayors.
Cevdet Konak did not attend the hearing, but his lawyers were present. The prosecution demanded a conviction for Konak, and the court issued an identical sentence for Sarıgül.
A heavy police presence was reported around the courthouse before the hearing. The co-mayor of Dersim, Birsen Orhan, called on citizens to support the municipality in a post on social media platform X. After the verdict, protesters gathered in front of the municipality to denounce the decision.
Defence lawyer Kenan Çetin criticised the verdict as a violation of the right to a fair trial. He said the case, which dates back a decade, included activities such as attending funerals and going on nature trips as evidence against the mayors. “These activities cannot constitute propaganda for a terrorist organisation. This decision will be appealed to higher courts, including the European Court of Human Rights,” Çetin said.
Konak argued that the charges were unfounded, pointing out that attending funerals and defending the environment were part of his duties as mayor. “Attending funerals and defending nature are core tasks of a municipality. If this is a crime, we will continue to do it. I will always stand by my people in their time of need,” Konak said.
The decision has been criticised by local residents and civil society organisations, and legal appeals are expected.
In Turkey, the government has frequently appointed trustees to replace elected mayors, particularly in municipalities led by pro-Kurdish parties. This practice intensified following the 2016 coup attempt, with the enactment of Decree Law No. 674, which allowed the Interior Minister to appoint trustees to municipalities under investigation for terrorism-related offenses.
Since 2016, trustees have been appointed to 149 municipalities, predominantly in the Kurdish-majority southeast. These appointments often involve replacing mayors from the pro-Kurdish Democratic Regions Party (DBP), its successor, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and the DEM Party, with government-appointed officials.
Critics argue that these actions undermine local democracy and disenfranchise voters. For instance, in November 2024, trustees were appointed to Mardin Metropolitan Municipality, Batman Municipality, and Halfeti District Municipality, leading to widespread protests and criticism from opposition parties.
The government defends these appointments as necessary for national security, citing alleged links between the ousted mayors and terrorist organisations. However, opposition figures and human rights organisations contend that the practice suppresses political dissent and violates democratic principles.
In Turkey, several elected mayors, particularly from pro-Kurdish parties, have faced legal actions resulting in imprisonment. These actions are often based on allegations of affiliations with terrorist organisations, notably the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Gültan Kışanak, the former co-mayor of Diyarbakır (Amed) was arrested in October 2016 on charges of PKK membership. In February 2019, she was sentenced to 14 years and three months in prison for “being a member of a terrorist organisation” and “propaganda of a terrorist organisation.”
Dilek Hatipoğlu, the former mayor of Hakkâri (Colemêrg), was arrested in August 2015 for allegedly disrupting state unity. In March 2015, she received a 15-year sentence. In February 2021, she received an additional two years and two months imprisonment for implementing the co-mayor system, which was deemed misconduct.
Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul was sentenced in December 2022 to two years and seven months in prison for allegedly insulting members of Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Council. The court also imposed a political ban, which could lead to his removal from office.
In June 2024, Mehmet Sıddık Akış, the pro-Kurdish mayor of Hakkâri, was sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison for alleged ties to the PKK. Following his arrest, he was replaced by the state governor.
