Turkiye's Opposition Mayor Arrest Sparks Political Tension

Ahmet Ozer, Esenyurt district mayor and member of Turkiye's main opposition party CHP, was detained for alleged links to the banned PKK militant group. His arrest comes amid ongoing debates on peace between the PKK and the Turkish state, sparking controversy and criticism from political figures.

Ahmet Ozer, the mayor from Turkiye's Esenyurt district and member of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), was detained on Wednesday for alleged membership in the banned Kurdish group, PKK. His arrest by anti-terrorist police adds fuel to the ongoing political tension in the country, marking another flashpoint in Turkiye's long-standing Kurdish conflict.

State-run Anadolu reported that according to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Ozer had purportedly maintained contacts with PKK figures for over a decade. This revelation triggered extensive searches of his home, vehicle, and municipal office, forming part of an expansive investigation.

CHP leader Ozgur Ozel condemned what he described as a political conspiracy against Ozer, who he praised as a scientist and opinion leader. Despite the arrest, political tensions remain high, especially as opposition parties face increasing pressure, reminiscent of ongoing legal challenges faced by other mayors and politicians involved in Turkiye's volatile political landscape.

(With inputs from agencies.)