"Why didn't he go to Esenyurt? Response to criticisms from Mansur Yavaş."

While the repercussions of Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer's arrest for "being a member of the PKK/KCK armed terrorist organization" and the appointment of a trustee continue, a noteworthy evaluation on the matter also came from Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş.

"IF A PERSON IS SELECTED AND REMOVED FROM OFFICE..."

Yavaş stated regarding Ahmet Özer's arrest, "First and foremost, I need to look at this as a lawyer. As a lawyer, I must say that the trustee issue is wrong. If a person is elected and removed from office in some way, it is more appropriate according to the law and the will of the voters that someone from the municipal council should be elected in their place," he said.

REQUESTED TRIAL WITHOUT ARREST

In his continued statement, Yavaş criticized the government, saying, "Therefore, if an arrest was made by looking back at phone calls from 5-10 years ago, I say as a lawyer that no one from the circles of power will remain outside. Because in our complaints, the examination of some of the people we complained about 10 years ago was not even conducted. There should be no double standards in law. Trial without arrest and the presumption of innocence are fundamental. No one has the freedom to commit a crime. We do not advocate such a thing. But if there is no possibility of destroying evidence of a crime, it is more appropriate to allow the person to defend themselves by being tried without arrest," he stated.

WHY DIDN'T HE GO TO ESENYURT?

Regarding his absence from the rally in Esenyurt, Yavaş said, "We said what needed to be said. My not going there was interpreted in different ways. Our provincial heads are here. Most of our mayors could not attend either; everyone has their own schedule. The Mayor of Çankaya was there representing us. Our Ankara Provincial Chairman also made the necessary statement here, and we stood by him. I think the different interpretations are the personal opinions of individuals," he expressed.