Zeydan Karalar's 'I must return to duty' statement: He cites Abdurrahman Tutdere as an example...

Adana Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Zeydan Karalar, who was being tried while in detention as part of the Aziz İhsan Aktaş criminal organization case, has been released after approximately 7 months of detention. Karalar described the release process.

Speaking to Saygı Öztürk from Sözcü, Karalar stated that he is waiting to return to his duty with great excitement and said the following:

“When I was removed from office, the period I remained suspended was extended by the Ministry of Interior every two months. I don't know for sure, but they probably need to reinstate me soon. Because all my counterparts are in office.

I don't expect them to do anything contrary. But of course, you never know what will be done. I mean, I don't know if they will delay my reinstatement or not, or if they will start it immediately. Adıyaman Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere, with whom we are being tried in the same case, was reinstated after he was released. It should be the same for me.

"THE ALLEGED CRIME SCENE IS ADANA; THEY TOOK US AND BROUGHT US TO SİLİVRİ"

From the very beginning, the alleged crime scene is Adana. But they took us and brought us to Silivri. I kept saying, ‘We are from Adana. What are we doing in Silivri?’ Aziz İhsan Aktaş had complained, saying, ‘We could not get the money for the work we did from Zeydan Karalar.’ I made my defense. In the end, a decision was made for me to be tried without detention.

I came to Adana. We proved with documents that the person who said he could not get the money for the work he did from me was paid his money in a very proper way. He had received one tender. We told him ‘no more tenders’ again. Mayors like me who are in a similar situation are in office, while I am inside. This was an injustice. We had voiced that. I am not saying this to criticize that attitude, but to voice an injustice. Otherwise, I have no concern about putting anyone in or out of prison. We must not lose our faith in the law. In the end, my release, albeit delayed, was good.

All my friends were happy. My release became a hope for our friends who remained inside. None of us are afraid of being tried. However, being tried without detention should be the norm. I am a person who has reported myself to the prosecutor's office twice.

Adana was magnificent once. I mean, they stood by their brothers, sisters, and mayors like in no other province from the very first day I was taken into custody. When I arrived in Adana, people were going to eat each other. Even though I landed at 3:30 AM and it was cold, there were thousands of people at the airport.

Then we went to the commemoration of those who lost their lives in the earthquake. They showed all of Turkey how a man who has dedicated his life to Adana and given his heart to it is supported, including the walking of our youth. For that, I thank them all individually very much.

I was home at 06:00 in the morning. I was up again at 08:00. I will attend funeral ceremonies today. My brother-in-law had died while I was in prison. I will go to my sister. There is an earthquake march in the evening. I will participate in that. Then I will come home a little early. The children are all here.

"I MUST RETURN TO DUTY"

The Ministry of Interior can extend the suspension period every two months due to detention. Since the detention has been lifted, I must automatically return to my duty. But I don't know if they will do something else there.

I want to start my duty with great excitement and serve Adana. Of course, I have unfinished business. Our friend whom we appointed as deputy was carrying out the work in dialogue. But in the end, I have been a mayor for 12 years. I mean, I had organized where the money for a job would come from, how it would be adjusted, and what would happen. As you know, I was also serving as the President of the Union of Municipalities of Turkey. When I am appointed to my duty, I think that will probably happen too. But since that is by election, I don't know the implementation exactly.”

News Source: 12punto