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The pro-Kurdish opposition party Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) on Saturday strongly criticized the detention of three Republican People’s Party (CHP) mayors, warning that the ongoing crackdown against elected officials threatens prospects for democratic reform and lasting peace in Türkiye.
In a statement, the party’s Central Executive Board said the arrests deepen lawlessness and undermine hopes for a peaceful, democratic society.
"Undermining the right to vote and be elected not only targets political parties but also the broader hope for societal peace and democratic resolution in Türkiye," the party said.
CHP mayors from Adana, Antalya, and Adiyaman were detained this week in separate investigations. The DEM Party linked the operations to broader efforts by the ruling government to suppress opposition through judicial means.
"The political motive behind these operations is clear," the party said. "We reject any form of judicial interference that departs from the rule of law. These actions cause the greatest damage to the hope for peace."
DEM co-chair Tuncer Bakirhan also condemned the arrests in a social media post, describing them as "an unacceptable intervention against democratic politics and the will of the people."
"True societal peace can only be achieved through the strengthening of dialogue and adherence to the rule of law," he wrote. "This sensitive process must be carried out with broad participation and collective wisdom."
Bakirhan added that “every attack on elected will must end immediately” if Türkiye is to move toward democratic normalization.
Co-chair Tulay Hatimogullari echoed the criticism, warning that the detentions block the path to a more democratic Türkiye. “What is needed today is not repression, but concrete steps toward democratization,” she said.
The DEM Party has repeatedly accused the government of weaponizing the judiciary against opposition figures and violating the electorate’s will through politically motivated prosecutions.
"The responsibility to defend democratic values and societal peace belongs to all of us,” the party added. “We call on all segments of society to unite against these interventions into the people's will.”
The detentions of the three CHP mayors stem from separate bribery and corruption investigations launched in different cities, some of which are linked to alleged organized crime networks.
Zeydan Karalar—Mayor of Adana
Karalar is accused of demanding unlawful financial benefits from companies doing business with the municipality during his time as Seyhan district mayor.
Prosecutors allege that these companies were directed to make payments to Ozcan Zenger, who then served as head of the municipal cleaning department.
His detention falls under an Istanbul-based investigation into charges of establishing and managing a criminal organization and accepting bribes.
Abdurrahman Tutdere—Mayor of Adiyaman
Tutdere is alleged to have solicited illegal financial benefits from municipal contractors and referred them to Deputy Mayor Ceyhan Kayhan, who reportedly received cash payments on multiple occasions.
He was detained under the same Istanbul-centered investigation as Karalar.
Muhittin Bocek—Mayor of Antalya
Bocek was detained in a separate probe launched by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
He is under investigation for alleged bribery, with no direct link to the Istanbul-based corruption case. He was taken into custody early Saturday morning in Antalya.
Authorities say the wave of detentions follows testimony by a cooperating suspect who sought leniency and statements made by business owners with ties to the municipalities.
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