Turkish Interior Ministry removes Van mayor Abdullah Zeydan, appoints trustee
Former mayor of Van metropolitan Municipality Abdullah Zeydan (via X)
The Turkish Ministry of Interior has announced that a trustee has been appointed to Van Metropolitan Municipality. Mayor Abdullah Zeydan has been removed from office, and Van Governor Ozan Balcıihas been assigned as the acting mayor.
In a statement, the ministry explained that Abdullah Zeydan was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison by the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court for “knowingly and willingly aiding an armed terrorist organization.” Based on this decision, Zeydan was temporarily suspended from duty in accordance with Article 127 of the Constitution and Article 47 of Municipality Law No. 5393.
Governor Ozan Balci arrived at the municipal building in the morning and officially took office. Institution officials and staff welcomed him before proceeding to his office, while police forces took security measures around the municipality building.
Following Zeydan’s removal, officials dismantled a tent set up by a gathered crowd in front of the municipal building.
Who’s Abdullah Zeydan
Abdullah Zeydan is a well-known figure in Turkish politics, particularly for his roles within the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) and People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party). Born in 1972 in the Yüksekova district of Hakkari, he pursued a career in architecture before transitioning into active politics. In 2015, he was elected as a member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, representing Hakkari.
Elected as Mayor of Van Metropolitan Municipality in the March 31, 2024 local elections, Zeydan previously made headlines due to the controversy surrounding his election certification process.
His political career and legal proceedings continue to be widely discussed in the public sphere.
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