Civil society organizations in the Kurdish province of Hakkari (Colemêrg) see the prison sentence handed over to HDP politician Cihan Karaman as a concrete example of the use of criminal law against the opposition. With the verdict against the deposed co-mayor, the Turkish judiciary had once again demonstrated that it is not independent and is being used as a government tool.

Former mayor Cihan Karaman was first sentenced to 25 months in prison by a court in Colemêrg in early 2021 for "terrorist activities". The accusation was essentially based on the testimony of an anonymous witness. Among other things, the politician was accused of following "orders from the illegal organization" (meaning the PKK) by implementing the co-chairs system. Karaman was also accused of attending a "terrorist funeral". The politician said in court: "He was my son.”

A regional appeals court in Van overturned Karaman's verdict and remanded the case to the trial court for a new hearing and decision. The 45-year-old was sentenced again last Thursday, this time to ten and a half years in prison for alleged membership in the PKK. Karaman was arrested in the courtroom with reference to an alleged risk of absconding and transferred to a local high-security prison. According to Turkish law, early release from prison can only be granted after three quarters of the sentence has been served.

Victim of a judicial farce

"Cihan Karaman is the victim of a judicial farce," lawyer Azad Özer said, adding that the arrest warrant is unlawful before the decision becomes final. “Our client took part in all hearings. His wife is also in prison and he does not have a passport. Detaining him for the risk of fleeing is therefore groundless. Karaman's arrest represents an attack on our city that we will not accept."

Karaman was not the only elected person who was deposed from office after the local elections almost four years ago. In 48 of the 65 municipalities won by the HDP, the Turkish government had the elected mayors removed and replaced by state administrators. In six municipalities, those elected could not even take office because the electoral committee refused to recognize them. In their place, the AKP candidates who were defeated in the election were declared mayors. Today, only six town halls are governed by the HDP.

Anti-terrorist laws disregard the will of the electorate

Lawyer Özer said: "We are facing a gradual establishment of a regime in which elected officials are no longer elected but appointed. With unlawful judgments, the judiciary legitimizes this injustice - the punishment of an entire society."

Defense prepares for appeal

Local politics represent the backbone of democracy and are the essence of democratic societies, said lawyer Özer, adding that the fact that the Turkish government has been trying to smash this principle for years shows the “campaign of annihilation against democracy” it is implementing. "We need to develop a more refined understanding of local democracy, - said the lawyer - aimed at citizens' direct participation in government and giving them a voice. It is the responsibility of all of us to secure local democracy by build a truly democratic system."