10.07.2026 20:00
The tension that started with the obscene image allegation against Mardin Kızıltepe Mayor Zeyni İpek and resulted in his resignation from the DEM Party was brought to the city council. During the July council meeting, Mayor Acting Havas Güngör, who was expelled along with İpek and chaired the session, was subjected to an egg protest by DEM Party members. Chants of "treason" and "resign" echoed in the hall.
Reactions to Kiziltepe Mayor Zeyni Ipek, who resigned from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) in Mardin, were brought to the municipal council.
EGG PROTEST
DEM Party council members protested Deputy Mayor Havas Gungor, who was chairing the July Ordinary Council Meeting on behalf of Ipek, by throwing eggs.
During the tense meeting where slogans of "Treason" and "Resign" were chanted, it was stated that Gungor, who also served as deputy mayor, was expelled from the DEM Party along with Zeyni Ipek.
OBSCENE IMAGES SURFACED, DEM PARTY LAUNCHED DISCIPLINARY INVESTIGATION
The background of this tension lies in a disciplinary process dating back to 2024. An obscene video allegedly belonging to Ipek was circulated on social media.
After the images emerged, the DEM Party headquarters stated in a statement: "Based on complaints and documents reaching our Democratic Local Governments Board regarding our Kiziltepe Co-Mayor Zeyni Ipek, it was determined that he engaged in behavior contrary to our party's program, principles, and moral values. Therefore, a disciplinary investigation has been initiated against him."
HE RESIGNED, CALLING IT A 'DIRTY CONSPIRACY'
Ipek, who described the events as a "setup," defended himself with the following words: "Dear people of Kiziltepe; as you know, a malicious situation occurred, occupying the public agenda through a dirty conspiracy fabricated against me. In order to eliminate this setup and conspiracy, which aims to seize the municipal administration at my expense, and to fight against those responsible, I have felt compelled to resign from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party, of which I am a member, even though I did not wish to. To prevent this conspiracy targeting my party from causing harm to it, I am resigning from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party."
DEM Party, however,