CHP mayor reinstated to office: He had also spent time in prison

Mayor Dönmez, who had been suspended from duty by the Ministry of Interior, had appealed to the Manisa Administrative Court.

In its assessment, the Manisa Administrative Court decided to stay the suspension, noting that given the current stage of the investigation and the trial against Mayor Dönmez, the risk of tampering with evidence had been eliminated.

In accordance with the court's decision, the Ministry of Interior approved Mayor Hikmet Dönmez's return to office.

Following this decision, Mayor Dönmez will continue his mayoral duties from where he left off.

The court's decision included the following statements:

"Given that the evidence has largely been collected and there is no danger of it being tampered with, the plaintiff's detention has been terminated. On the other hand, due to the presence of multiple defendants and witnesses in the ongoing criminal case file regarding the incident in question, it is highly likely that the trial will continue until the end of the individual's term of office. Furthermore, considering the stage the investigation and the trial have reached, the risk of tampering with evidence has been eliminated. Therefore, it is clear that the suspension from duty, which should be applied as a temporary measure under Article 127 of the Constitution, has been transformed into a permanent state, effectively resulting in the removal of the individual from their position and the de facto termination of their mayoral duties. As it is concluded that the discretionary power granted to the administration was not exercised in accordance with the purpose of the Constitution and the Law, it has been determined that the subject action, which would result in the permanent removal of the plaintiff from office, is not in compliance with the law."

Dönmez had been arrested as part of an investigation into the assault of two people in his office.