Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer Arrested: Tense Moments Unfold in Front of Police Headquarters
In a surprising turn of events, CHP-affiliated Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer was apprehended from his residence during the early hours of the morning. Reports indicated a significant police presence outside the Esenyurt Municipality building as searches were conducted both at Özer’s home and the municipal premises. During the searches, Riot Police units implemented extensive security measures around the municipality building, while Deniz Geçmiş Avenue, where the building is located, was closed off to traffic. As the search operations concluded, police officers continued to maintain a vigilant presence outside the building.
TENSE WAITING CONTINUES
Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer was detained at his home in Esenyurt on charges of being a member of the PKK/KCK armed terrorist organization. Following a health check-up at Bayrampaşa State Hospital, Özer was taken to the Istanbul Police Department’s Vatan campus. Özer’s family and party members remain outside the police headquarters, awaiting updates on the situation.
PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE MAKES STATEMENT
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced the detention of Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer within the scope of investigations aimed at identifying the members and activities of the PKK/KCK terrorist organization.
“14 MEETINGS HELD WITH TERRORIST SOUGHT WITH RED NOTICE”
The statement from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office included the following details:
“As per the evidence within our investigation files concerning the activities of the PKK/KCK terrorist organization, it has been determined that the suspect Ahmet Özer, currently serving as the Mayor of Esenyurt in Istanbul, committed the crime of being a member of the PKK/KCK Armed Terrorist Organization based on the evidence, which includes organizational documents found among the members of the terrorist organization and also transmitted to the leadership cadre in the Kandil region of Northern Iraq (appointment in the so-called democratic autonomy project by the terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan during a meeting on Imrali Island), transcripts of conversations obtained as a result of the interception of communications, physical surveillance records, and the contents of examined account movements, in addition to approximately 694 different individuals with criminal records due to their membership in the terrorist organization over a period of about 10 years and especially 14 communications with terrorist organization leaders, including Remzi Kartal (Co-Chairman of KONGRA-GEL, Member of the KCK Executive Council, and sought with a Red Notice), it is understood that there is a strong suspicion of the suspect having committed the crime of being a member of the PKK/KCK Armed Terrorist Organization by establishing an organic connection with the terrorist organization continuously and intensively; therefore, pursuant to the decision of the Istanbul Duty Peace Criminal Judgeship, a search was conducted at the suspect’s residence, workplace, and vehicles, evidence related to the crime was seized, and the suspect named above was captured and detained as of 6:00 on October 30, 2024, in accordance with the instructions given to the Istanbul Police Department Counterterrorism Branch. The search operations are still ongoing. Respectfully submitted to the public.”
CHP ISSUES STATEMENT
CHP Deputy Group Chairman Gökhan Günaydın made a statement on social media regarding the detention. Günaydın reported that Mayor Özer was detained in the fight against terrorism. In his statement, he said:
“Our Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer was detained this morning and taken to the Police Department. We know who is fighting against terrorism and who is fighting for power. Governments come and go; prosecutors and judges should abide by the law for the sake of justice.”
“IT IS CLEAR THAT A POLITICAL MESSAGE HAS BEEN SENT”
Günaydın made further comments on SÖZCÜ TV’s live broadcast, stating:
“Our colleagues and deputies were sent to the region. The officials said they conducted a search within the scope of a terrorism investigation. Our Mayor was taken to the Vatan Police Department. Ahmet Özer is a sociologist with over 10 years of party membership. We will learn the reasons behind the terrorism investigation; we don’t know. This detention is a clear indication of how much influence the government has over the judiciary. It is evident that a political message has been sent. We cannot have any information about the file until the end of the detention period. Whatever they have said before, they will say the same thing.”
“FORCED ENTRY INTO OFFICIAL’S OFFICE FOR SEARCH”
Did you start a terrorism investigation through CHP? It is unacceptable to forcibly detain a mayor. We stand by Ahmet Özer. We need to trust our prosecutors and judges. The mayor’s office was forcibly entered and searched. Later, his home was visited.”
ÇELİK: “IT IS A SLANDER AGAINST CHP”
CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik expressed his disapproval of the detention of Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer.
Çelik stated, “We do not accept the dawn raid from those who do not touch the criminals on the streets, drug barons, gangs, and various abusers. We warn those who try to design politics with the judiciary: you are endangering the peace and tranquility of this country. The people of Esenyurt have elected a mayor from the Republican People’s Party; you will have to accept it.”
Speaking on SÖZCÜ TV’s live broadcast, Çelik said that the detention had a political motive and was an attack on the reputation of the CHP.
MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES EXPRESS DISCONTENT
While the search operations have concluded, work continues at the municipality. Individuals identified as municipal employees expressed their discontent to the press, saying, “You are spreading false news,” and some reporters were asked to leave the area.
CHP MAKES STATEMENT IN FRONT OF POLICE HEADQUARTERS: 24-HOUR VISIT RESTRICTION IN PLACE
CHP Deputy General Managers Gökan Zeybek and Özgür Karabat are making a statement in front of the police headquarters. Zeybek made the following remarks:
“We see that there is a restriction in place. We see that there is a 24-hour visit restriction. We are waiting for additional statements from the Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding the file. We, as the CHP, stand behind our mayor. We know that his actions are aimed at serving the people of Esenyurt.”
ISTANBUL BAR ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT: WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM ISTANBUL POLICE
Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kaboğlu stated in front of the Istanbul Vatan Police Department, “We have not received any information from the Istanbul Police.”
Kaboğlu said:
“Let him be released at his post. The procedures applied are contrary to the constitution.”
