Ruling AKP Hatay local mayor arrested over murder

HATAY - Doğan News Agency

Fatma Görgen Selimoğlu has been arrested for allegedly instigating the murder of a gas company manager. DHA photo

A Hatay court has arrested a local ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) local mayor , Fatma Görgen Selimoğlu, for allegedly instigating the murder of a gas company manager, Doğan News Agency has reported.

Selimoğlu, the current mayor of Hatay’s Yeşilköy district, previously testified in line with the investigation that was looking into the death of Ömer Cemil Sanal, a manager at Delta Gaz, who was beaten and shot dead back in 2007.

Two were detained over the murder at the time and one suspect was later released. Selimoğlu was called in to testify, but she too was released without further proceedings.

However, the court arrested Selimoğlu and her brother, Reşit Gören, on Aug. 28, over accusations from Sanal’s family that she instigated the murder of Sanal. She has been sent to an Adana prison, where she is now awaiting trial.

Sellimoğlu was considered a strong candidate for the upcoming local elections in 2014, with the AKP planning to select her for the Hatay mayor’s seat.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had attended her wedding and even served as a witness at the ceremony.