Istanbul's district mayor removed over failed coup, alleged corruption

ISTANBUL, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's Interior Ministry on Thursday dismissed the mayor of Istanbul's Besiktas district from his post over a failed coup in 2016 and allegations of corruption, sparking an outcry from the main opposition.

According to the ministry's statement, Murat Hazinedar was ousted following investigations into his ties to a network accused of masterminding the coup bid and due to allegations against him, including taking unfair advantages, providing unlawful licenses to tradesmen and using public property for the benefit of private individuals.

Two municipal council members were also suspended from their duties over corruption allegations, the statement said.

Hazinedar said earlier in the day that the municipality had gone through over 180 preliminary examinations and investigations and was cleared from all the accusations.

Ankara blames the network led by Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based Turkish cleric, for the coup attempt in July 2016 that left 250 people dead and has listed it as a terror group.

The Republican People's Party, the main opposition from which Hazinedar comes, described the move against him as a "government plot."

Bulent Tezcan, the party's spokesman, said in a televised speech that Hazinedar will use all his legal rights against the decision. Party supporters were urged to gather in front of the municipal headquarters as a sign of solidarity.

Hazinedar was elected mayor of Besiktas in March 2014. Enditem