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Bodrum residents are furious that their Mayor, Mehmet Kocadon, is still in gaol having been refused bail. The smiling face of Mr Kocadon is festooned all over Bodrum and a Facebook page supporting him has gained over 16,000 followers in the 18 days since his arrest. Usually, when a high official is arrested, everyone keeps quiet until the facts gradually emerge, but Mr Kocadon is such a liked and respected character in Bodrum that the remonstrations started immediately. He is incarcerated in Mugla gaol, 2 hours drive from Bodrum, but is being visited by a stream of well-wishers including Yarimada Newspaper which reports today that he is in good spirits, keeping fit and joking that he is having a rest. Growing up with a surname that translates as "Huge Pants" must have instilled a useful amount of resilience and optimism which he is calling upon now. It must irk though that Bodrum is at its best ever with its new wide pavements and ban on shopkeepers and restaurateurs hassling tourists, while the architect of these changes resides in the clink.
sitting here in France, struggling to follow what is happening in the world through French media, ( with my gradually developing language skills), I've missed this completely....he sounds an interesting character.
ReplyDeleteMr Kocadon is from a well respected Bodrum family and is loved for his aproachability. He is also the first mayor for many years to make improvements that add to Bodrum's charm, rather than detract from it.
ReplyDeleteDear Bodrum, most of the time I find life rather strange and often, as you indicated, somewhat ironic. Peace.
ReplyDeleteAnnie- do you know anyone who got bail? As I know it just doesn't exist? All the politians and journalists sit there for years. Thought you wouldn't get political - it gets you in the end - welcome back
ReplyDeleteTrying not to be political, just stating facts. Have kept out of the party logistics of the arrest.
DeleteInteresting post....I should mention this to my Turk husband. I wonder if her read bout this.
ReplyDeleteI had to chuckle at his 'huge pants' surname. Thanks goodness my husband's surname means Tailor.;-)
Yes those shop keepers do try and lure tourists in.....I've sat at one table in a cafe and the guy next door in another cafe was physically practically dragging me to his seats for a "cay."
Keep us posted if he gets bail......
Angie's right. He won't get bail and the court sittings finish soon so he's in the prison for the rest of summer.
DeleteWell, that's an interesting one. Why is he in prison? Do we know what the accusations are? Mayors that actually do something for a town are so hard to come by - the Fethiye mayor is well-liked for the same reason as the Bodrum mayor - so I'm not surprised he has a lot of support.
ReplyDeleteThe accusations are vague at the moment relating to improper tenders.
DeletePolitical motivated removal or corruption? We shall probably never know for sure.
ReplyDeleteI hope we do find out.
Deleteobviously he mightily irked someone...politics perhaps? hoping no unpleasantness about him disclosed and that he is released soon!
ReplyDeletewell apparently he may not be released soon...with no bail and court adjourning for the summer! may his supporters remain loyal and give him the strength he will need to endure!
The staff at the gaol say that Bodrum has moved to Muğla this summer. The web page is constantly active. Mr Kocadon has no internet or mobile phone, but people are writing letters so he has an idea of the support for him between visits.
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