Two elected mayors dismissed after terrorism charges
Both mayors were elected in the local elections held in March.
KATHMANDU: The Turkish government has replaced two democratically elected mayors in the eastern province of Tunceli following a court ruling.
According to Turkey’s Ministry of Interior, Tunceli city mayor, Şevdet Konak, and Ovacık district mayor, Mustafa Sarıgül, were removed from their positions after being sentenced to six years and three months in prison on charges of membership in a terrorist organization.
Both mayors were elected in the local elections held in March; Şevdet Konak was from the People’s Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, and Mustafa Sarıgül was from the Republican People’s Party (CHP).
Following their removal, the Tunceli provincial governor, Bünyamin Tekbıyıkoğlu, has been appointed as the acting mayor of Tunceli city, while the Ovacık district governor, Hüseyin Samil Sözen, has been assigned as the acting mayor of Ovacık.
