Iğdır Municipality co-mayor Yaşar Akkuş, who was arrested after his post was usurped by the Turkish government, was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison on the charge of "being a member of a terrorist organization" by the Iğdır 2nd High Criminal Court on 26 May.

Akkuş, in a message he sent through his lawyer, rejected the decision as ‘political’.

Akkuş said: "We will continue to smile with determination, despite the unlawful political decision. Justice will eventually find its place. Despite everything, we should not stop laughing. Lots of love and respect for everyone."