Turkish government sacks opposition mayor in Istanbul
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Turkish interior ministry on Friday removed the mayor of Istanbul’s Besiktas district days after he was arrested and accused of bribery and membership in a criminal organization.
Riza Akpolat, who is from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), was detained on Monday along with 22 other people as part of the same investigation.
The interior ministry announced on Friday that Akpolat had been sacked due to the accusations against him. A replacement has not immediately been named.
The government has dismissed three mayors from the CHP and seven from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) since the elections last March. All have been accused of links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and replaced by government-affiliated administrators or trustees, except for Akpolat.
The Istanbul governor’s office announced that the Besiktas municipal council will meet on Thursday. Another CHP municipal member is expected to replace Akpolat.
CHP leader Ozgur Ozer called the targeting of Akpolat “a new link in the chain of lawlessness.”
The Turkish government used to only sack mayors affiliated with pro-Kurdish parties, but it has recently targeted the CHP as well. Most of the mayors are of Kurdish origin.
Riza Akpolat, who is from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), was detained on Monday along with 22 other people as part of the same investigation.
The interior ministry announced on Friday that Akpolat had been sacked due to the accusations against him. A replacement has not immediately been named.
The government has dismissed three mayors from the CHP and seven from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) since the elections last March. All have been accused of links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and replaced by government-affiliated administrators or trustees, except for Akpolat.
The Istanbul governor’s office announced that the Besiktas municipal council will meet on Thursday. Another CHP municipal member is expected to replace Akpolat.
CHP leader Ozgur Ozer called the targeting of Akpolat “a new link in the chain of lawlessness.”
The Turkish government used to only sack mayors affiliated with pro-Kurdish parties, but it has recently targeted the CHP as well. Most of the mayors are of Kurdish origin.