Turkish government removes Tunceli, Ovacik mayors, appoints trustees

The Turkish Interior Ministry announced on Monday that trustees have been appointed to oversee the municipalities of Tunceli and Ovacik, following the removal of their respective mayors from office.

Cevdet Konak, the mayor of Tunceli, and Mustafa Sarigul, the mayor of Ovacik, have both been dismissed due to ongoing legal issues related to alleged ties with a terrorist organization.

According to a statement from the Interior Ministry, Konak, who had been sentenced to six years and three months in prison for membership in the PKK/KCK terrorist group, was temporarily removed from his position in accordance with Article 127 of the Turkish Constitution and Article 47 of the Municipal Law No. 5393.

Additionally, an investigation is ongoing regarding accusations of “terrorist propaganda” against Konak, as part of a separate case being handled by the Tunceli Chief Prosecutor’s Office.

In the wake of Konak’s dismissal, Tunceli Governor Bulent Tekbiyikoglu has been appointed as the interim mayor, fulfilling the duties as stipulated under the relevant provisions of the Municipal Law.

Similarly, Ovacik Mayor Mustafa Sarigul, also sentenced to six years and three months for his alleged involvement with the PKK/KCK, was removed from office under the same legal grounds.

Sarigul’s case, along with Konak’s, was heard separately at the Tunceli 1st Heavy Penal Court, which delivered the prison sentences. Sarigul’s removal was further reinforced by the Interior Ministry’s decision, which cited the same constitutional and municipal law articles.

In both cases, travel bans have been imposed on the mayors, preventing them from leaving the country during the legal proceedings.

To ensure the continuity of municipal governance, Ovacik District Governor Huseyin Samil Sozen has been appointed as the acting mayor of Ovacik, following the provisions of Municipal Law No. 5393.