What are the charges against arrested CHP Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Ozer?
Istanbul/Esenyurt Municipality Mayor Ahmet Ozer. (AA Photo)
Main opposition CHP’s Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Ozer was arrested on charges of alleged ties to the PKK/KCK terrorist group, intensifying political discourse across Türkiye.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office led the investigation, claiming Ozer’s involvement in activities linked to the PKK over the last decade. He faces charges of “being a member of the PKK/KCK armed terrorist organization.”
In the wake of his arrest, Istanbul Deputy Governor Can Aksoy has been appointed as acting mayor, as announced by the Turkish Interior Ministry.
Esenyurt Mayor suspect Ahmet OZER, who was arrested by the court on the charge of ‘Being a Member of the PKK/KCK Armed Terrorist Organization’ within the scope of the investigation numbered 2024/162302 conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office; He was suspended from duty by the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a temporary measure in accordance with Article 127 of the Constitution and Article 47 of the Municipality Law No. 5393. In accordance with the articles 45 and 46 of the Municipality Law numbered 5393, Istanbul Deputy Governor Can AKSOY was appointed as the Deputy Mayor of Esenyurt by the Istanbul Governorship.
Turkish Ministry of Interior
PKK/KCK affiliation charges and alleged evidence
The charges against Ozer involve allegations of ongoing communication and financial exchanges with individuals associated with the PKK/KCK over several years.
The court revealed that the evidence includes encrypted communications and digital records indicating Ozer’s sustained connections to the group. The prosecution also referenced materials found in his office that allegedly promote the PKK, as well as a book authored by Ozer, which reportedly contains positive references to PKK figures.
Further court documentation details financial transactions connected to individuals accused of supporting PKK, as well as reported digital communication patterns with figures related to PKK’s political wing. A prosecutor’s report claimed, “Ozer has exhibited behaviors consistent with hierarchical involvement,” based on physical and digital evidence.
CHP Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Ozer responds
Ozer claimed that he was arrested on baseless accusations aimed at facilitating the appointment of a trustee. “These allegations are purely political; they are organized for my dismissal,” Ozer said.
“Forced allegations have been created for my dismissal. A trustee is planned to be appointed.” Appearing in court, Ozer, a CHP member, said that the accusations against him were also politically motivated and added, “These allegations are fabricated.”
Ozer, arrested on charges of “being a member of the PKK/KCK armed terrorist organization,” made his statement at the criminal court of peace.
Claiming that the investigation was carried out with the aim of creating outrage in Istanbul, Ozer said, “As can be understood from the file, I am accused of allegations that are not based on any documents. I have nothing to do with any organization, I completely deny this.”
Ozer asserted that he has never faced any investigation or prosecution against him, arguing that he has served as the mayor of Esenyurt for seven months and that the will of the people has been usurped.
He stated he was detained in an operation at 5.30 a.m., adding he would have rushed to testify if he had been called.
Responding to the allegations of association with terrorist organization PKK/KCK member Remzi Kartal, Ozer stated that they are both from the same tribe in Van, but that they had no contact after he went abroad.
“When I went to Van, I offered my condolences to his family. This is a humanitarian act, it is pointless to draw conclusions from this,” he added.
The Izmir Bar Association condemned the arrest of the Esenyurt mayor, stating, “The unlawful actions of the political power toward elected opposition mayors, arbitrarily appointing trustees based on various accusations, represent the imprisonment of and disregard for the will of the people.”
CHP leaders respond to Ozer’s arrest, citing political motivation
Ozer’s arrest has led to significant pushback from Türkiye’s CHP. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel called the charges “unfounded,” stating, “Esenyurt’s mayor was elected with overwhelming support … The accusations are baseless.”
He defended Ozer as a respected public servant with a reputable academic and government background, adding that Ozer was vetted and cleared by government authorities prior to his election.
CHP Deputy Leader Gokhan Zeybek also condemned the arrest, asserting, “Our mayor’s sole mission has been to serve Esenyurt residents. We stand firmly by his integrity and will follow these proceedings closely.” CHP members argue that Ozer’s detention is politically motivated, aimed at undermining the party.
‘Why did they wait until this date?’ asks Ankara mayor
Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavas made his first statement on social media:
First of all, it is unlawful to raid the house of an elected mayor and detain him at 5.30 in the morning, when it was possible to call him to office by invitation. It is only an indication that they want to discredit him.
It is stated that the incidents and allegations mentioned in the arrest request memorandum of the Public Prosecutor’s Office published on the internet in the evening were determined to be 5-10 years back. Why did they wait until this date?
No one has the freedom to commit a crime. While it is possible for the Mayor to be tried and punished in accordance with the law for any crime he may commit, it is against the procedure and the law to arrest him while there is a procedure for trial without detention due to the lack of possibility of tampering with evidence, having a fixed residence, and similar reasons.
The recent attempts to give legal status to the leader of a terrorist organization (despite the fact that the Court of Cassation requires very concrete and serious evidence for membership in a terrorist organization) and the arrest of Ahmet Ozer on vague and abstract charges are worrying in terms of democracy and the rule of law.
The allegations on some websites during the investigation, before any arrests were made, that a trustee was appointed to the Esenyurt Municipality, and the fact that this claim came true, show that the political dimension of the matter has become undeniable.
Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavas
Public reactions and political tensions
Ozer’s arrest has prompted protests in Istanbul, with CHP supporters gathering outside the courthouse. CHP has called an emergency party meeting in Esenyurt, where local and national leaders pledged support for Ozer. CHP officials also warned that the arrest could signify a larger political operation targeting CHP leaders and municipalities.
On the other hand, ruling government junior partner MHP’s Secretary Ismet Buyukataman argued that the charges reveal a deeper connection between CHP and the PKK. “CHP’s alliances are compromising Türkiye’s national security,” he claimed. CHP, however, has dismissed these accusations, maintaining that Ozer’s arrest is part of a broader, politically driven agenda.
