Ayvaz Hazır was elected as co-mayor of Miks (Bahçesaray) district of Wan (Van) on 31 March from Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party). Hazır was sentenced to 3 years and 11 months in prison in the case filed against him 9 years ago. The sentence was based on the allegation of "committing a crime on behalf of an illegal organisation without being a member of the organisation".

 

'THE REASON FOR THE SENTENCE IS THAT I AM KURDISH'

 

Evaulating the sentence given against him, Hazır said: "The sentence shows that enemy law is being applied." Pointing out that a lawsuit was filed against him on the grounds of a press statement he attended in 2015 when we was working at the municipality, "I was working as a civil engineer at the municipality before. But I was also carrying out press broadcasting activities. I took photographs at the press statement ı attended that day. Later, a lawsuit was filed against me and 15 others. Since we were civil servants at the time, the Ministry of Interiro asked for our defence. We also made a defence. After 9 years I became co-mayor and I was sentenced with a political decision. I was sentenced in a case where we did not expect any punishment. The judge himself did not make this decision of his own free will. Because this decision was made by imposition and coercion. The reason for this punishment is that we are Kurds. Because enemy law is being applied." 

 

'IT IS A COUP ATTEMPT AGAINST THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE'

 

"If I had not been co-mayor, we would have been acquitted," said Hazır and added: "Enemy law and instructions require this. I do not accept this. Our people have seen our 8-month practice and met with people's municipalism. They want to take Miks, which they could not take through elections, with such coups. We won the election, but they gave us our mazbat 15 days late. We resisted then and we will resist today. For example, it is not my trial, it is the trial of the will of the people. This is a coup attempt against the will of the people."

 

MA / Bilal Babat