12punto columnist and lawyer Ersöz: A process full of legal irregularities

Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer was detained and arrested on charges of being a member of the terrorist organization PKK. While this development caused a great stir in public opinion, it led to intense debates in political circles and the legal community. Lawyer and 12punto columnist Hüseyin Ersöz evaluated the decision as "a process full of legal irregularities."

12punto

There was also a flood of reactions to the removal of Ahmet Özer from office by the Ministry of Interior.

12punto columnist and lawyer Hüseyin Ersöz evaluated the arrest process and legal developments on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

Ersöz stated that he followed the process step by step and made the following assessments:

"As a jurist who speaks plainly, I must state that I had the opportunity to follow the detention and arrest process of Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer and the decision to appoint a trustee to the municipality step by step;"

- A Mayor being detained at the first light of dawn when he would have come to give a statement if summoned,

- The content of the statements made by judicial authorities during the day,

- The rapid taking of police statements and the referral to the courthouse following statements by politicians,

- The nature of the prosecutor's office's statement-taking process and the referral for arrest,

- The publication of the trustee appointment decision in the Sabah newspaper before official authorities, "were a step-by-step projection of how this process would conclude."

In his statement, Ersöz argued that the process was not in accordance with the law, stating, “As every ‘jurist’ would agree, both the arrest decision and the appointment of a trustee represent a process full of legal irregularities.

I must say with regret on behalf of the rule of law that this lawlessness has once again been deemed appropriate for our country.”

While Ahmet Özer's lawyers stated that they would appeal the arrest decision, some circles claimed that the arrest and trustee appointment processes were a political operation.

Ahmet Özer's arrest has reignited criticisms regarding the functioning of the law in Turkey.