06.03.2025 14:01
The investigation into the 'urban reconciliation' initiative conducted in 9 municipalities in Istanbul has been completed. A lawsuit has been filed against 10 suspects, including Ataşehir Deputy Mayor Livan Gür and Kartal Deputy Mayor Cemalettin Yüksel, on charges of "being a member of an armed terrorist organization," with a request for prison sentences ranging from 7.5 to 15 years.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had launched an investigation based on the claim that the "City Consensus" that took place during the March 31 elections was coordinated by the terrorist organization PKK/KCK. As part of the investigation, Kartal Deputy Mayor Cemalettin Yüksel, Ataşehir Deputy Mayor Livan Gür, a member from the Fatih Municipality, which is managed by the AK Party, and one member each from the Üsküdar, Sancaktepe, Tuzla, Adalar, Şişli, and Beyoğlu Municipal Councils, which are managed by CHP mayors, along with one civilian, were arrested.
A LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED IN HEAVY PENALTY COURT
The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that the investigation related to the operation has been completed and that a public lawsuit has been filed at the Istanbul 23rd Heavy Penal Court against those arrested for the crime of "being a member of an armed terrorist organization." In the case, prison sentences ranging from 7.5 to 15 years are being sought for the deputy mayors and municipal council members.
TANRIKULU HAD REACTED
CHP Diyarbakır Deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu, who was following the developments at the courthouse during the arrest phase, shared a part of the referral letter written by the prosecutor requesting the arrest of the deputy mayors and council members:
"…it was created within the framework of the planning to include local governments and was called 'City Consensus', with the aim of ensuring that the Kurds in the western provinces and districts, even if they do not win the municipalities, would have a say in municipal council decisions by obtaining a certain number of quotas in municipal councils in exchange for candidates who would be agreed upon and supported..."
"... it is clear that the operation was planned, approved, and carried out in the decision-making processes of politics..."
Tanrıkulu, stating that none of the contents of the referral letter have any legal value in the face of legislation, expressed his reaction with the following words: "The aim is to punish, criminalize, and create the perception of terrorizing political activities related to the elections held in local governments within the framework of laws, and it is evident that the underlying discomfort is to prevent the representation of Kurds living in Istanbul, where the Kurdish population is most dense in Turkey, in local governments and elected municipal councils. This thought is not only that of the person who wrote the request but also shows that the operation was planned, approved, and carried out in the decision-making processes of politics. This determination in the arrest request is historically significant for understanding the true intentions and sincerity of the Justice and Development Party."