Imprisoned Mayor Hasan Mutlu: Are we going to keep holding elections until the AKP occupies the Bayrampaşa Municipality?

Bayrampaşa Mayor Hasan Mutlu, whose district was one of those that passed from the AKP to the CHP following the March 31, 2024 elections, was arrested on September 17. A deputy mayoral election was held on September 21 to replace Mutlu, who was 'suspended from duty' by the Ministry of Interior. In the election, CHP candidate İbrahim Kahraman and AKP candidate İbrahim Akın failed to secure a sufficient majority in all 4 rounds. CHP's İbrahim Kahraman won the subsequent drawing of lots.

Refusing to accept the result, the AKP Istanbul Provincial Presidency took the election to the administrative court. The Istanbul Governor's Office, citing administrative court decisions on the matter, announced that the Bayrampaşa mayoral election would be held on Sunday at 18:00. The Governor's Office statement is as follows:

"As part of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the crimes of 'taking bribes, rigging tenders for public institutions and organizations, and embezzlement,' Bayrampaşa Mayor Hasan Mutlu was arrested by the Istanbul 6th Criminal Court of Peace with the decision dated 16.09.2025 and interrogation number 2025/1310. The aforementioned individual was suspended from duty by the approval of the Ministry of Interior dated 17.09.2025.

At the Municipal Council Meeting held on September 21, 2025, to elect a Deputy Mayor, Council Member İbrahim Kahraman was elected as Deputy Mayor. With the decision of the Istanbul 8th Administrative Court dated 09/10/2025 and numbered 2025/1870, a stay of execution was issued for the council decision dated 21/09/2025 and numbered 2025/78. The decision of the Istanbul Regional Administrative Court dated 22/10/2025 and numbered 2025/1474 also rejected the objection made against the stay of execution regarding the matter.

In accordance with the provisions of Article 45 of the Municipal Law No. 5393, it has been deemed appropriate by our Governor's Office for the Bayrampaşa District Municipal Council to convene on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 18:00 to elect a Deputy Mayor."

Reacting to the decision in a post on his social media account, Hasan Mutlu asked, "I have been in Silivri Prison for 41 days because I did not bow to the threat of 'either join the AKP or go to jail.' Even though we won the deputy mayoral election that was held, the election is now being canceled and a decision has been made to repeat it. There are no words left. I am appealing to people's consciences; are we going to keep holding elections until the AKP occupies the Bayrampaşa Municipality?"

News Source: 12punto