Such mobbing has never been seen; there is nothing that hasn’t happened to him because of his political views.

KOCAELİ (IHA) – Muhammed Ali Karavar, who worked at Izmit Municipality for over 10 years and was dismissed without compensation on the grounds of not fulfilling his assigned duties, complained about Mayor Fatma Kaplan Hürriyet to Özgür Özel in a letter he wrote. Karavar delivered his letter to Özgür Özel’s security team.

Starting his job as a driver at Izmit Municipality in 2014, Muhammed Ali Karavar continued his duties for more than 10 years. After the March 31 elections, he was assigned to the cleaning department and was instructed to operate a garbage truck. After expressing that he did not have the necessary qualifications and experience to drive a garbage truck, Karavar was dismissed without compensation a month ago for refusing the assigned task after working in that role for 3.5 months. Stating that he was subjected to mobbing due to his political views during his work, Karavar complained about Izmit Mayor Fatma Kaplan Hürriyet to Özgür Özel. He reached out by writing a letter to Özgür Özel, who came to Kocaeli yesterday, seeking a resolution to his situation.

“I felt I was subjected to extreme political harassment because of my political background”
Muhammed Ali Karavar, who started working as a driver at Izmit Municipality in March 2014, said, “I drove various vehicles for 11 years and drove small and official vehicles like executive transport for 8 years. I also worked in minibuses with capacities of 9, 19, and 29 people. After the March 31 elections, I was assigned to the cleaning department by the written order of Izmit Mayor Fatma Kaplan. Although I stated that I had no experience with such vehicles in the cleaning department, I was told that I needed to drive a garbage truck. I made a written statement explaining that I did not have the necessary skills and that it could lead to accidents. However, my objections were ignored, and I felt I was subjected to extreme political harassment because of my political background.”

“I wanted to give a letter to CHP leader Özgür Özel, but the municipal staff turned me away”
Stating that he was under pressure and that his employment was unlawfully terminated, Karavar said, “I initiated legal proceedings, but during this process, my family and I suffered both financially and psychologically. We communicated our complaints to various authorities, including members of Parliament from the CHP. However, we could not reach a resolution. Therefore, yesterday, when Özgür Özel came to Kocaeli, I wrote a letter to hand it to him. However, when we entered the event area, we were surrounded by municipal staff, and they said we would not be allowed to approach the mayor by the direct order of Mayor Fatma Kaplan. We were even blocked when we tried to approach MP Harun Özgür Yıldızlı, and in the ensuing chaos, a security vehicle accidentally hit us. Nevertheless, a kind security officer assured me that my letter would be delivered directly to Özgür Özel.”

“I experienced unfair treatment because of my political affiliation and not supporting Fatma Kaplan”
Expressing that the unfair treatment he experienced stemmed from his political views, Karavar said, “I was subjected to unfair treatment because I did not support Fatma Kaplan. My family and I, especially with my 3-year-old child, faced difficulties both financially and emotionally. After serving the municipality for 11 years, this is not the treatment I deserve. I call out to Özgür Özel once again, hoping to hear from him directly, and I trust that he will not remain silent in the face of this injustice. I sincerely hope that he will meet with Mayor Fatma Kaplan and convince her to reinstate me.”

The letter Karavar wrote to the Chairman of the Republican People’s Party, Özgür Özel
“I started working at Izmit Municipality on 28.03.2014. I have tried to fulfill my duty to the best of my ability to provide halal sustenance for my family. Since the day I started working, I have been assigned to vehicles like taxis and minibuses. I was assigned to a garbage truck after the municipality switched to the Republican People’s Party, which I believe was solely due to my political views. Despite informing the management both verbally and in writing that I could not perform this job, had no experience, and that my position was not related to this duty, my employment contract was terminated. As if mobbing while continuing to work was not enough, my exit was arranged in a way that left me without compensation and unemployment benefits. Despite your promises that no one would be played with in the squares, I lost my job. My mental health deteriorated, and I was victimized along with my wife and child. You are a father as well; you have children, and I hope you will understand me. I write this letter believing that you will eliminate this injustice. We hope that you will not remain silent in the face of this injustice done to us and ensure our reinstatement to our jobs.”