Bodrum mayor Kocadon back in post

MUĞLA - Doğan News Agency

DHA Photo

The mayor of the Aegean province of Muğla’s Bodrum district, who is currently awaiting trial for alleged fraud, returned to his post today upon a legal order from the Interior Ministry.

Speaking to the members of the press at his office, Mehmet Kocadon said he had waited to resume his post for five months without a legal case being opened about it. A group of locals gathered to greet the mayor in front of his office and celebrated his return.

Units from the Muğla Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Department conducted an operation at the Bodrum Municipality in June and seven people, including Mayor Kocadon, were arrested on charges of “bid rigging, misconduct in office, violating the privacy of information, and creating a criminal organization for the purpose of engaging in criminal activity.” Sentences of six to 80 years in prison were demanded for those detained, but the case has still yet to go to trial as the prosecutor is still preparing the indictment.

The Interior Ministry had ordered the dismissal of Mayor Kocadon on Aug. 5. However, the seven people detained in June, including Kocadon, were released pending trial on Sept. 7.