Following the arrest of the Mayor of Istanbul's Esenyurt district, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özer, and the subsequent appointment of a trustee to the municipality, the police blockaded the municipality building. Citizens and elected members of the municipal council are not allowed to enter.

A large number of people, including CHP Istanbul MP Engin Altay, CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik and municipal council members came to the Esenyurt Municipality building and faced police barricades. Altay reminded of his powers given by the constitution as a member of parliament.

Stating that MPs have immunity, Altay said, “I have the right. It is a special right for MPs. He cannot be held or touched. Come on, touch me,’ as he reacted against the police.

The police prevented the group from entering the municipality building.

Background

The Turkish Ministry of Interior appointed a trustee to the Municipality of Esenyurt, after its mayor, Ahmet Özer, was remanded in custody a week ago.

Istanbul Deputy Governor Can Aksoy was appointed as trustee in Özer's place.

Özer, who was arrested on charges of "being a member of an illegal organization," stated that he had previously worked in numerous public institutions as a public servant and had never faced any investigation before.

Özer added: "I have been successfully serving as mayor for seven months, and this is a politically motivated action where the will of the people is being seized."

Özer emphasized that the allegations lack evidence, noting that framing his past works and accomplishments as criminal acts is a politically motivated move.

He remarked that the trustee appointment process was introduced to the public through the media, and added: "All of this has been fabricated, forced, and orchestrated with political maneuvers to remove me from office. A foundation for appointing a trustee has been laid. Even while I was still at the prosecutor’s office, reports on some media were stating that a trustee had already been appointed."

Özer also clarified some of the alleged meetings and relationships cited in the accusations. He explained that his meeting with former Van MP Remzi Kartal was based on their shared background. Both are from the same region and the meeting took place within a framework of a personal and human connection.

Özer noted that even a concert organized in collaboration with the Esenyurt District Governor's Office was cited as evidence against him. He explained that all aspects of the concert's arrangements were handled by officials and emphasized that it was impossible for him to monitor what was said on stage.

Finally, Özer pointed out that a previous wiretap investigation had also found no incriminating evidence against him. Highlighting his stable residence and the absence of any flight risk, he appealed for his release.

The mayor’s lawyer, Seraf Özer, filed an appeal at the Çağlayan Courthouse in Istanbul today challenging the court decision to imprison him following his arrest on 30 October.