28.02.2025 20:40
The Mayor of Kula, Hikmet Dönmez, who was suspended from duty for allegedly assaulting two people in the Kula district of Manisa, has been reinstated to his position.
```html
Kula Mayor Hikmet Dönmez, allegedly; called M.U. and H.D., with whom he signed a contract for the supply of paving stones on June 27 last year, to the municipality due to their failure to fulfill their obligations. Mayor Dönmez wanted to terminate his contract with the company. A scuffle broke out between the company officials and Mayor Dönmez during the ensuing argument. Rıza Gidiş, the bodyguard of Mayor Dönmez, and his driver Mustafa Onur Aksoy, who entered upon hearing the commotion, removed the company officials M.U. and H.D. from the office. M.U. and H.D. claimed that they were assaulted in Mayor Dönmez's office and reported to the police. Following the complaint, Dönmez, his driver Aksoy, and his bodyguard Gidiş were detained. After their statements at the Kula District Police Department, Mustafa Onur Aksoy and Rıza Gidiş were referred to the court and were arrested and sent to prison.
SEMRA GÜNDÜZ WAS ELECTED IN HIS PLACE
After receiving a medical report from Kula State Hospital, Mayor Dönmez went to the police station and filed a complaint against M.U. and H.D. The detained M.U. and H.D. were released after their statements. Mayor Dönmez was arrested on the charge of 'instigating robbery' in the court he was brought to on June 30. Mayor Hikmet Dönmez was released on August 6 to be tried without detention, along with his driver Mustafa Onur Aksoy and his bodyguard Rıza Gidiş. Due to the investigation, Dönmez was suspended from duty. In the elections held on July 8, council member Semra Gündüz was elected as the deputy mayor in place of Dönmez.
HE WILL CONTINUE HIS DUTIES AS MAYOR FROM WHERE HE LEFT OFF
The investigation regarding the incident was completed, and a lawsuit was filed. In the indictment, Dönmez, his driver Aksoy, and his bodyguard Gidiş were charged with 'robbery for the purpose of collecting a legal receivable', 'intentional injury causing a bone fracture', 'simple injury', 'threat', and 'deprivation of liberty', while the other defendants were charged with 'assault'. While the trial process continues, Dönmez applied to the Manisa Administrative Court regarding the suspension decision issued by the Ministry of Interior through his lawyers. As a result of the evaluation made by the Manisa Administrative Court, considering the stage of the investigation and the lawsuit against Mayor Dönmez, it was decided to lift the precautionary measure due to the elimination of the risk of evidence tampering. In line with the court's decision, the Ministry of Interior approved Mayor Hikmet Dönmez's return to duty. Following this decision, it was stated that Mayor Dönmez would continue his duties as mayor from where he left off.
"IT HAS BEEN CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS NO LEGAL COMPLIANCE"
In the decision taken by the court, the following statements were made: "Due to the substantial collection of evidence and the absence of a risk of tampering, the applicant's detention has been terminated. On the other hand, due to the presence of multiple defendants and witnesses in the ongoing criminal case related to the incident, the likelihood of the trial continuing until the end of the relevant person's term is high. Additionally, considering the stage of the investigation and the lawsuit, the risk of evidence tampering has been eliminated. Therefore, it has been concluded that the application of suspension from duty, which should be temporary according to Article 127 of the Constitution, has been transformed into a permanent measure, resulting in the effective termination of the relevant person's position as mayor. It has been concluded that the discretionary power granted to the administration has not been used in accordance with the purpose of the Constitution and the law, and therefore, it has been concluded that there is no legal compliance in the action taken that would result in the permanent suspension of the applicant from duty."
```