Kars Municipality Co-mayor Ayhan Bilgen, who was detained on September 25 within the scope of the Ankara-based "Kobanê investigation", announced his resignation with a post on his social media account.

 

Ayhan Bilgen said: "I am past the age to play the democracy game. And conditions in Turkey is not at all suitable to play games. I won't allow peoples' wills to be played with, with arbitrary detentions. I will resign from my office even if a trustee haven't been appointed to replace me whether you arrest me or not. Kars has the competence to rule itself.  In a parliament that has a unanimous decision-making maturity for 1.5 years, 5 parties can compromise and form a new administration. Now that everyone aspires to rule the city in elections, no one should escape from responsibility. This is not the abandonment of a post, but a test of democracy with joint administration, as we said in the election campaign. Writing my third book if I get arrested, or contributing to the co-opperative is not less important than being a mayor. I want to thank to all my fellow countrymen, who voted for me or voted for somebody else, and all my colleagues, especially the field staff. If Kars decides to continue with a female co-mayor, it will be a social triumph, not only a political one. Nothing should remain the same from now on!"