Yerlikaya: It has been confirmed that Van Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Zeydan does not have the right to be elected.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, who answered journalists' questions about the agenda at an event in Ankara, made important statements.

Sharing the decision of the Court of Cassation regarding Van Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Abdullah Zeydan, Minister Yerlikaya stated, "The 3rd Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation ruled that the 'additional decisions regarding the restoration of prohibited rights' concerning Van Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Abdullah Zeydan are devoid of legal value and ordered the case to be sent back to the local court for a new decision.

Pointing out that it has been confirmed that Zeydan does not have the right to candidacy and election, Yerlikaya said, "The decision will go from here to the Diyarbakır 5th Heavy Criminal Court. We need to see what will happen next and look at the appeal process," he said. Minister Yerlikaya's remarks raised the question, "Will another trustee be appointed to a metropolitan municipality?"

Speaking about the trustee processes, Yerlikaya emphasized that democracy and terrorism cannot coexist, stating, "We are a rule of law. No one has the freedom to commit crimes. There is no freedom to commit crimes for anyone, regardless of who they are."

Yerlikaya expressed that if someone elected by vote commits a crime, they will pay the price, saying, "Mayors are also subject to the law. If a mayor is affiliated with a terrorist organization and has been convicted by a prosecutor's investigation and a first-instance court, if they have the audacity to use the will given by the people in such a way, necessary actions will be taken. A trustee is a temporary measure. We review it every two months. In the meantime, we check if there are any new developments."

Advising mayors to "free themselves from terrorist barons," Yerlikaya stated, "It doesn't matter whether they are elected or appointed, regardless of party. Those who come through the ballot box should read Articles 45-46 well. I recommend that they also evaluate their candidacy processes carefully."