Who is CHP Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer? Why was he detained?

CHP Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer was detained by police teams in the morning hours. CHP Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer, who was detained at his home on the morning of Wednesday, October 30, has become a topic of discussion due to the details surrounding his case.

In addition to being the Mayor of Esenyurt, Ahmet Özer is also known for his identity as a sociologist, academic, and author. Competing as the CHP's candidate for Mayor of Esenyurt in 2024, Özer was elected with 49 percent of the vote, finishing 10 percentage points ahead of his closest rival. So, who is CHP's Ahmet Özer and why was he detained?

WHO IS AHMET ÖZER?

Ahmet Özer was born in Van in 1960. After attending middle school in Muradiye, he continued his high school education at Van Atatürk High School and later at Hakkâri High School.

He graduated from Diyarbakır High School in 1977. He completed one undergraduate degree and two associate degrees across three universities (in the fields of sociology/philosophy, business administration, and educational sciences), including Hacettepe University, the Van Education Institute, and Çukurova University.

Between 1991 and 1997, he served as the Secretary General and a Board Member of the GAP Union of Municipalities, which included 145 municipalities.

During his academic career, he held positions such as vice rector, founding dean, dean, department chair, center director, senate member, university board member, and head of the department.

Özer is also the Chairman of the Science Board of the Turkey-Iraq Business People Association (TISİAD), and a member of the Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MTSO), the Mersin Cemevi, the Advisory Board of the İçel Art Club (İSK), the Honorary Board and Advisory Board of the Van Federations of Associations, the Chairman of the Science Board of the Van Foundation, and a member of the Erciş Foundation, the Sociology Association, and Eğitim Sen.

Ahmet Özer is married, a father of two, and speaks three languages.

WHY WAS AHMET ÖZER DETAINED?

Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer was detained within the scope of an investigation into "membership in a terrorist organization."

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that Ahmet Özer was detained as part of investigations conducted to identify members and activities of the PKK/KCK terrorist organization. It was learned that police teams conducted searches at Ahmet Özer's home and at the municipal building.

While it was noted that searches were also carried out at the Esenyurt Municipality, it was stated that Özer was taken to the Vatan Police Headquarters.

News Source: 12punto