Özer made a statement regarding the removal of trustee Can Aksoy from his post following a corruption operation at Esenyurt Municipality and the appointment of Ulaş Akhan in his place.
In a social media post, Özer stated, "Replacing one trustee with another does not solve the fundamental problem of Esenyurt. The solution is to restore the will of the people."
Sharing on his social media account, Ahmet Özer stated that this appointment, made following corruption allegations that emerged under the trustee administration, covers up the real issue.
"REMOVING HIM WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY IS A REWARD"
Emphasizing that what Esenyurt needs is not a new trustee but the reinstatement of the elected mayor, Özer included the following statements in his declaration:
"The solution in Esenyurt is not to replace one trustee with another, but to restore the will of the people. Removing the trustee and appointing a new one following the corruption allegations that emerged during the trustee administration does not solve the fundamental problem of Esenyurt. On the contrary, it covers up the real issue.
Fulfilling the requirements of the national will manifested at the ballot box is an indispensable condition of democracy and the rule of law. My return to my post as the mayor elected by the votes of the people of Esenyurt is the expectation not only of myself but also of the people of Esenyurt, whose will has been ignored.
Moreover, while the corruption investigation regarding the term of the removed trustee Can Aksoy is being debated in the public eye, his removal from office without being held accountable and the appointment of another trustee in his place does not eliminate the issue of responsibility. Removing him from office without accountability is not a sanction; in the eyes of the public, it amounts to a reward. The allegations must be investigated transparently, and all those responsible must be held accountable before the law."
"THE SOLUTION IS TO RESPECT THE DEMOCRATIC WILL"
Stating in the continuation of his declaration that his demands are not a privilege, Özer continued his words as follows:
"Appointing another trustee in place of one does not bring back the time Esenyurt has lost; it does not close the democracy deficit, nor does it represent the will of the people. This approach results in nothing more than Esenyurt losing more time and services.
The solution is clear: The democratic will of the people of Esenyurt must be respected, and my reinstatement as the elected mayor must be ensured. The people of Esenyurt want to see the mayor they elected at the head of his duty. Democracy requires upholding the will manifested at the ballot box not only on election day but under all circumstances. Our demand is not a privilege, but the fulfillment of the requirements of democracy."
WHAT HAPPENED?
The elected mayor of Esenyurt Municipality, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özer, was arrested on October 30, 2024, and removed from office, with Istanbul Deputy Governor Can Aksoy appointed as a trustee in his place. Although Özer was released on November 12, 2025, his request for reinstatement was rejected.
In the corruption operation carried out against Esenyurt Municipality, a large amount of foreign currency was seized in the home and connected addresses of Deputy Mayor Yusuf Ulutaş, who was brought to office by trustee Can Aksoy. During the search conducted at Ulutaş's home on October 7, 450 thousand 854 dollars, 31 thousand 815 euros, and 2 million 580 thousand liras were found; on October 15, 7 million dollars and 400 thousand euros were seized in steel safes located in an empty apartment in Küçükçekmece. Ulutaş was arrested as part of the operation.
Following these developments, trustee Can Aksoy was removed from his post at the municipality, and Ulaş Akhan, Secretary General of the Van Metropolitan Municipality, was appointed as the new trustee. It was learned that Aksoy would continue his duty as deputy governor.
News Source: 12punto
