Mersin Municipal Council met for the first time after Vahap Seçer's arrest

The first meeting of the October ordinary meeting of the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Council was held at the Congress and Exhibition Center Multi-Purpose Hall under the chairmanship of the 2nd Deputy Chairman of the Assembly, Hasan Özalp Önal.

A total of 5 items were discussed at the meeting, 3 of which came from the units and 2 of which were off the agenda. The meetings were marked by the arrest warrants given for Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Vahap Seçer and some district mayors.

"THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE SHOULD BE RESPECTED"

Stating that they held the meeting under extraordinary conditions, Önal said that the Parliament met for the first time after Vahap Seçer's arrest.

Reminding that Seçer was elected mayor with 60 percent of the votes in the March 31 local elections, Önal stated that the arrest of elected mayors should be evaluated not only in terms of legal but also democratic representation.

Önal said, "The basis of democracy is respect for the free will of citizens and protection of democratic representation. Therefore, the arrest of an elected mayor is a serious issue that is not limited to the legal status of the person concerned, but should also be evaluated in terms of democratic representation and the will of the people."

Emphasizing the principles of presumption of innocence and fair trial, Önal called for the elected mayors, who have no suspicion of fleeing and who did not refrain from sharing information and documents during the investigation process, to be tried without detention.

"OUR DEMAND IS NOT PRIVILEGE, BUT EQUAL JUSTICE FOR EVERYONE"

Stating that municipal services continue uninterrupted, Önal said that Mersin Metropolitan Municipality continues its duty with all its units.

Önal said, "We trust in law, justice and the conscience of our nation. Vahap Seçer has gained the power, love and respect of the people and received their blessings. We want justice to be served as soon as possible and a fair trial. Our demand is not a privilege, but equal justice for everyone. Because justice is not needed for one person, but for all of us."

REACTION FROM CHP TO THE ARRESTS

CHP Council Member Gülşah Yıldırım Genç also reacted to the judicial processes against the municipalities in Mersin.

Genç stated that arrest warrants have been issued for Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Vahap Seçer, Yenişehir Mayor Abdullah Özyiğit, Mezitli Mayor Ahmet Serkan Tuncer and their colleagues, and said that Silifke Mayor Mustafa Turgut has also been detained for months.

Genç said, "Why are our elected presidents not in office? We will continue our struggle for the will of the people, the freedom of our presidents and justice for everyone. We will not stop calling for rights, law and justice."

DEM PARTY: LAW SHOULD NOT CHANGE ACCORDING TO POLITICAL IDENTITY

DEM Party Council Member Feride Aslan Bilgiç stated that the developments in Mersin cannot be evaluated independently of the discussions on law and democracy in Türkiye.

Arguing that the arrest of elected mayors has consequences in terms of the right to democratic representation, Bilgiç said, "Of course, no one is above the law. However, the law should not change according to anyone's political identity, party, thought or the social segment they represent."

AKP Council Member Mustafa Turan, in his assessment of the developments in the city, stated that they preferred not to discuss the ongoing judicial processes.

VICE PRESIDENT ELECTION IS ON OCTOBER 13

Making a statement at the end of the meeting, Hasan Özalp Önal announced that the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor election will be held on Tuesday, October 13, at 14.00 at the Congress and Exhibition Center.