9 Municipalities Under Terror Investigation: CHP Kartal and Ataşehir Deputy Mayors Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has recently concluded its investigation into 9 different municipalities, resulting in serious legal consequences for some of the officials involved.
The indictment put forth by the court specifically targets CHP Deputy Mayor of Kartal, Cemalettin Yüksel, and Atasehir Deputy Mayor, Livan Gur. The charges brought against them carry sentences ranging from 7.5 years to 15 years of imprisonment, with the accusation being their alleged affiliation with the PKK terrorist organization.
In addition to the deputy mayors, last month saw the arrest of Üsküdar, Sancaktepe, Fatih, Tuzla, Adalar, Şişli, and Beyoğlu Municipal Assembly members. One of the suspects arrested is reportedly linked to the Beyoğlu Municipality and is facing a 15-year sentence.
The crux of the accusations revolves around a concept known as city reconciliation. This process is said to have implications for the upcoming 2024 local elections, as it involves the collaboration between the CHP and Dem Party to identify common candidates. The prosecution alleges that the suspects strategically placed PKK members within various municipal councils to bolster the terrorist organization’s influence and gain financial advantages.
The 23rd High Criminal Court is slated to preside over this high-profile case, which has sparked significant interest and concern within the community. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
