Bolu mayor investigated for discrimination over 'refugee plan'

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The Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation against the city's mayor, Tanju Özkan, for "misconduct" and "discrimination based on hate."

The mayor caused controversy when he announced his plan to increase tap water prices and waste taxes for foreign nationals in the city. Despite criticism, he said yesterday (July 27) that he won't step back from his plan.

The investigation was opened after several criminal complaints against Özkan, the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), which he is a member of, did not endorse his statement, saying that it was his "personal opinion."

Ebru Meşe, the head of the Refugee Rights Center of the Ankara Bar Association, previously told bianet that the mayor's plan was unconstitutional. (DŞ/VK)