Response to Trustee Allegations at Van Metropolitan Municipality

The Van Metropolitan Municipality made a statement regarding the claims shared on some social media accounts that Co-Chair Abdullah Zeydan was dismissed and a trustee was appointed in his place. In the statement made from the municipality's social media account, the claims were denied.

"DO NOT BELIEVE IT"

In the statement, it was said, "Our people should know that our co-chairs are in their positions." It was stated that "Some troll accounts on social media are sharing information based on a fake document claiming that our Van Metropolitan Municipality Co-Chair Abdullah Zeydan has been dismissed and a trustee has been appointed in his place. We emphasize that this information is false and the document is fake, and we expect our people not to believe such fake shares."

The statement continued, "It should be known that the purpose of such shares is to confuse the public and create hesitation in the attitude of claiming the will shown on a correct basis. Our co-chairs are in their positions and continue their work with full determination and resolve. We respectfully announce this to the public."

WHAT HAPPENED?

Abdullah Zeydan, the Co-Chair of the Van Metropolitan Municipality, had spent 6 years in prison due to a case opened in 2016. Zeydan, who applied to the Supreme Election Council for the local elections on March 31, 2024, won the Metropolitan Municipality Mayorship with his candidacy. Following this, the Ministry of Justice informed the Supreme Election Council that the calculation of the execution period was incorrect, and Zeydan was not given his certificate of election. After the developments, the Supreme Election Council granted Zeydan his certificate of election.

Recently, the 3rd Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation overturned the decision of the Diyarbakır 5th Heavy Penal Court dated April 4, 2023, which provided for the reinstatement of the prohibited rights of Van Mayor Abdullah Zeydan (the right to vote and be elected), on the grounds of 'miscalculation.'