Abdullah Zeydan removed from office: Trustee appointed to Van begins duty

Van Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Abdullah Zeydan has been removed from office by the Ministry of Interior. Van Governor Ozan Balcı has been appointed as a trustee in his place. The Ministry stated that the decision to remove him from office is based on the prison sentence Zeydan received in a case in which he was being tried.

The Ministry of Interior included the following statements in its announcement regarding the matter:

"Van Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Abdullah Zeydan was sentenced to 3 years and 9 months in prison for the crime of 'Knowingly and Willfully Aiding an Armed Terrorist Organization' by the decision of the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court dated February 11, 2025. Therefore, he has been removed from office as a temporary measure in accordance with Article 127 of the Constitution and Article 47 of the Municipal Law No. 5393. Within the scope of Articles 45 and 46 of the Municipal Law No. 5393, Van Governor Ozan Balcı has been appointed as the Acting Mayor."

ZEYDAN REFUSED THE NOTIFICATION

Following the removal decision, police officers wanted Abdullah Zeydan to sign the Ministry of Interior's notification. However, Zeydan refused to sign the document, stating that he did not recognize the decision.

TRUSTEE OFFICIALLY BEGAN DUTY

Van Governor Ozan Balcı, who was appointed as the acting mayor, arrived at the municipal building in the early hours of the morning. Balcı sat in the mayoral office and officially began his duties.