MARDİN – Suspended Mardin Municipality co-mayor Ahmet Türk spoke to dihaber after he was released from the prison. Türk “ We need a new process that population can have breath. Therefore Government needs to change its mind”. Türk also mentioned than he is concerning about the referendum.

Kurdish Politic symbol Ahmet Türk had been get through many hard situations since he is doing politic. Some time pre-government media described him as “pigeon” sometime as “falcon” but Kurds always know him as “Apé Ahmed” ( Uncle Ahmed). Ahmet Türk were sent two different prison , three different hospitals and travelled four different cities in his 43 days prisoned period.

For sure there are many questions to need be asked to Ahmet Türk. But we could ask just a few question due to short time.


* You have told that flight ticket and the prison you would be sent were already prepared before you had gave statement to the court board. Did you mean a decision had been given before you were arrested?

Of course. Because right after judge decision that imprisoned me , tickets of mine and police had been bought. Prison was located. I mean that obviously was a politic decision. Therefore given decision was over the court board and the prosecution. I believe that I was jailed by someone’s instruction.


* You were sent two different prisons, different hospitals … Therefore do you think releasing you was also a politic decision?


To be honest , no possible speak about independent judge and law. This is not only my opinion but also most populations’. Therefore I can’t say decision was judge’s.


* Many statements were issued on your situation. Also sign campaigns. Deniz Baykal came to Mardin. Your emotions, agedness and sickness were mentioned. But you have told “ Turkey’s health is more important than mine”. Could you explain more?


I didn’t want to featured my health issues. I was taken to hospital many times without my will. Actually there was unlawful imprisoning. We spent great effort for serving people of Mardin as co-mayor with my team. I am in politic for years but I have decided to serve people of Mardin on my last politic period. But someone charged me without any tangible evidences. This made me sad.



İt is said by two witness statement that “ Wages of workers had been cut”. I have already stated in the court. Municipality is not grocery. All wages of workers were transferred completely. I know some people who doesn’t accept still they lost local election, framed me. They say secret witness. I say libeler. I will call them to proof what they charged on me. I trust myself on this. There is no any corruption or bribery was made by me..

* What was the most upset thing for you during your prisoned period?

I don’t look as personal to this issue. Over 70 co-mayors of our party are imprisoned. Our party co-mayors are still imprisoned and parliamentarians as well. We need a social peace on these days. Turkish people should know that Kurds are not the enemy of them. But the carrying out politics made angry the Kurds.

Yes. There is silence in this region right now. But it doesn’t mean that population accepts the government policies. If they think population accepts , they are totally in wrong. I see people are silence but also not supporter of government policies.

For me Turkey needs to move with common sense for establishing new dialogue context between peoples who has thousands year common past. It needed to effort to building a democratic, peaceful process. Turkey is in the middle of marsh in the Middle East. Turkey has to gain the Kurds again. Because there is no another choice nor formula. I hope common sense will show up as soon as possible.


* You were put in prison again as before. What do you see the changes about Kurdish Question?


I was parliamentarian for six session and I am in politic since 44 years. I lived 1980’s and 94’s as well. But people neither give up from democracy and freedom nor Turkey understand the real question. Runner of Turkey always follow the nationalist way which brings the peoples face to face. I believe that Turkey could gain Kurds with different politic mind and could resolve the problem. Therefore Government’s mind needs to be change.


* What do you propose?


Immunity was removed on 1980’s and 94’s and parliamentarians were put in jail. Today also our co-chairs, co-mayors and parliamentarians are imprisoned like before. So what is going to be? How can you carry on this policy? How is there benefit of this policy? This policy has do nothing except separating the peoples. Therefore Turkey firstly should get rid of this violence circle. People needs have a process which they can have a breath again. People should able to have breath, rethinking again. Politicians also need to play positive role.



* What did you feel when you visit to Öcalan in İmrali Prison on 2013? Were you hopeful for the peace?


Mr. Öcalan said “ There is no another choice except pave the way for democratic policy. We all need to make effort for pave the way for democratic policy”. This gave me a hope for the peace. Also I was hopeful during we were meeting with government’s wings. But hopes can be destroyed when politic interests change. Government changed the policy after Seven June of Election.

* We are at issued referendum process. How do you comment?

I was parliamentarian for six sessions. I always defended the parliamentarian regime and I will keep continue to defend parliamentary democratic policy. So there is no needed to ask my opinion. Because my opinion is obvious.