Former Diyarbakir Mayor Released After Nearly Seven Years in Prison

Former Diyarbakır co-mayor Selçuk Mızraklı was released from Edirne prison on 8 September after nearly seven years behind bars, using his first remarks outside to call for Turkey's Kurdish peace process to move forward quickly, transparently and with renewed steps toward democratisation.

A physician and former lawmaker, Mızraklı won the Diyarbakır co-mayoralty in March 2019 with more than 62 percent of the vote. The Interior Ministry removed him from office on 19 August 2019, less than five months after the election, and appointed a government trustee in his place.

Police detained him in October 2019 and a court sentenced him to nine years, four months and 15 days for organization membership. The Court of Cassation upheld the conviction in October 2024, making it final, while requests for transfer to an open prison and supervised release were rejected. (Turkey Unfolding)