Council election expected for mayoralty in Görele

A new election process for the mayoralty has come to the agenda in the Görele district of Giresun. The 1-year-and-6-month prison sentence given to the suspended former Mayor of Görele, Hasbi Dede, for the crime of "sexual harassment by taking advantage of the convenience provided by electronic communication tools against a child" has been upheld by the appellate court.

Following the finalization of the conviction, the administrative and legal process regarding the termination of Dede's mayoral status is expected to be completed. Once the process is concluded, the Görele Municipal Council will go to the polls to determine the new mayor.

TRIAL PROCESS AND SUSPENSION

An investigation had been launched against Dede due to messages he sent to high school student Tuana Elif Torun via social media. As part of the investigation, Dede was referred to the criminal judgeship of peace with a request for arrest, but was initially released with a travel ban and judicial control conditions.

Dede, who was referred to the court on February 10, 2026, as part of the investigation conducted by the Görele Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, was arrested by the decision of the Görele 1st Criminal Court of First Instance. During the ongoing trial process, Dede was released to be tried without arrest.

The Ministry of Interior suspended Dede from his duties under Article 127 of the Constitution and Article 47 of the Municipal Law No. 5393. In the final hearing, the court sentenced Dede to 1 year and 6 months in prison; it was decided not to defer the announcement of the verdict.

The victim of the case, Tuana Elif Torun, was injured on March 28 while walking on the side of the road in Görele when she was struck by a car driven by Adem Hasbaş while the trial was still ongoing. Torun passed away in the hospital where she was receiving treatment. It was reported that the suspect driver has been arrested.

DISTRIBUTION IN THE COUNCIL HAS CHANGED

Following Dede's suspension, CHP council member Aysel Uzun was elected acting mayor through a vote in the Görele Municipal Council. It was noted that Dede was expelled from the party by the decision of the CHP High Disciplinary Board, and that Uzun later left the CHP and joined the YENİ Party.

Following the finalization of the conviction, the calendar for the mayoral election is expected to become clear after the decision from the Council of State and the completion of the relevant administrative process. According to the current situation, there are 6 YENİ Party members, 4 AK Party members, and 1 independent member in the 11-member Görele Municipal Council.

News Source: 12punto