Turkish security forces detain two over opposition mayor's death

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkish authorities have detained two suspects allegedly linked to the recent death of the main opposition’s mayor of the western city of Manisa, reported state media on Wednesday. 

Two suspects were detained as part of the investigation by the public prosecutor into the death of mayor Ferdi Zeyrek after being electrocuted in his home, TRT news outlet reported. 

Zeyrek is affiliated with the main opposition Republican People’ Party (CHP). 

The mayor died on Monday after spending several days at hospital. He got electrocuted while inspecting a fault in the pool’s machine room at his home on Friday. 

He served as the party’s Manisa provincial chair starting in 2023 and was elected mayor of Manisa Metropolitan Municipality in the 2024 local elections.

Turkey’s top officials and political leaders, including President Recep Tayyipr Erdgan, have expressed condolences over the death of the mayor.