Turkey's Interior Ministry Suspends Hakkari Co-Mayor Mehmet Siddik Akis Over Alleged PKK Links
The Turkish Interior Ministry has announced the suspension of Mehmet Siddik Akis, the newly elected co-mayor of Hakkari (Colemerg), citing alleged connections to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Akis, who garnered significant support in the March 31 municipal elections, was taken into custody following a raid on the town hall by Turkish security forces.
The raid took place early Monday morning, with forces reportedly surrounding the town hall since Sunday evening. A statement from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) confirmed Akis' detention and criticized the actions of the security forces.
According to the Interior Ministry, Akis is accused of holding "high-level" positions within both the PKK and the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK). The ministry's statement further alleged that Akis engaged in activities on behalf of the PKK, including conducting interrogations, collecting taxes, organizing illegal marches and terrorist funerals, and pressuring local businesses to participate in PKK actions.
Co-mayor of Hakkari City, Mr. Mehmet Sıddık Akış has been taken into custody this morning. The municipality of Hakkari was raided by the police at the same time. It is a coup attempt against the will of Hakkari.
— DEM Party Foreign Affairs (@DEM_Diplomacy) June 3, 2024
We call on everyone to react and raise awareness. #Hakkari https://t.co/gTY9oL0SlL
In response to Akis' suspension, Hakkari Governor Ali Celik has been appointed as acting mayor. The suspension is described as a "temporary measure" by the ministry.
The DEM Party has condemned the suspension, asserting that it undermines democratic principles. "We reject this trustee approach. Our people showed through democratic means on March 31 that they do not recognize this trustee approach. This coupist and trusteeist mentality is a threat not only to Hakkari but also to the will of the entire Turkish people," the party stated in a post on X.
Akis, alongside fellow DEM Party member Viyan Tekce, secured around 49 percent of the votes in the Hakkari mayoral race. The DEM Party achieved notable successes in the March elections, winning several provinces previously held by its sister party, the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). These include Diyarbakir, Mardin, Batman, Siirt, Hakkari, Van, and Igdir, all of which had seen their HDP-elected mayors removed and replaced by state-appointed administrators due to similar allegations.
In addition to these victories, the DEM Party also claimed Tunceli from the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) and Agri and Mus from the ruling AKP.
The suspension of Akis adds to the growing list of pro-Kurdish mayors who have been removed from office in recent years amid accusations of links to Kurdish rebels. The DEM Party and its supporters view these suspensions as politically motivated moves that disenfranchise voters and suppress Kurdish political representation.
