Armenian Patriarch condemns Turkish Mayor over anti-Armenian remarks
In a social media post on Apr 5, Özcan referred to Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), as “Armenian,” using the term in a derogatory manner. In the post on Öcalan’s birthday, which included several grammar errors, Özcan wrote, “If only your Armenian father had been two seconds quicker, you wouldn’t have been born, Öcalan! I hope this is your last birthday, you traitor.”
The message sparked a flurry of mixed reactions online. While some users praised Özcan’s stance, others condemned the message as racist.
In response to the criticism, Özcan doubled down with another post: “PKK lovers and sympathizers, don’t comment on my posts. Turkey belongs to those who say, ‘How happy is the one who says I am a Turk.’”
‘This is outright racism’
Luys Medya, an Armenian media outlet, issued a strongly worded statement condemning the mayor:
“As Armenians, one of the ancient peoples of this country, we are deeply saddened and outraged by the racist and hateful post made by Bolu Mayor Mr. Tanju Özcan. The word ‘Armenian’ cannot be used as an insult. These discourses cannot be justified by politics or freedom of expression. This is outright racism, a hate crime, and a clear attack on human dignity.
“We Armenians have lived in this land for centuries. Our joys, pains, and hopes are inseparable from those of every other citizen of our homeland. We are part of this country with our labor and contributions. Today, as in the past, we seek to coexist in peace and dignity. We reject being treated as ‘foreigners’ and ‘others’ through such rhetoric.
“Using the Armenian identity as an insult from an office meant to represent all segments of society serves only to promote discrimination, hate speech, and hostility. We condemn Mr. Özcan for this hate speech and urge him to reconsider his words.”
Well-known rapper Ezhel also condemned Özcan on social media, criticizing the CHP for not taking disciplinary action. “Anyone who uses the name of any people, community, race as an insult cannot insult anyone else, especially by hiding behind my Turkishness!,” Ezhel wrote.
Longstanding criticism
Özcan has long been criticized for his inflammatory rhetoric, particularly against refugees. In 2021, the Bolu municipal council passed a motion backed by Özcan to drastically increase water fees for foreign residents. The regulation was later annulled by an administrative court.
In 2022, Özcan’s party membership was suspended for one year due to sexist remarks he made about a woman wearing a headscarf. He was expelled from the CHP in 2023, but reinstated ahead of the 2024 local elections and was re-elected.
Earlier this year, Özcan publicly admitted to unlawfully revoking business licenses held by refugees and imposing higher water fees on foreigners. Following his comments, the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched a criminal investigation against him. Despite the investigation, Özcan has stood by his remarks. (VK)
Controversial Turkish mayor Tanju Özcan is facing backlash after posting a social media message using derogatory language towards Armenians, the Agos news website reported.
Özcan, the mayor of Bolu and a member of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), in a post on X targeted Abdullah Öcalan, the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies.
“If only your Armenian father had acted two seconds earlier, so you were never born, Öcalan. I hope this is your last birthday. Traitorous man,” he said.
Since the 1980s the PKK has been leading an insurgency that has claimed the lives of some 40,000 people in Turkey.
The post, viewed more than 7 million times by Friday, drew criticism for what rights groups described as hate speech and ethnic discrimination.
Özcan did not clarify why he invoked Armenian identity in the message. However, critics say the language reinforced harmful ethnic stereotypes and incited division by associating one of Turkey’s most notorious terrorist leaders with the Armenian community.
The spiritual leader of Turkey’s Armenian community, Patriarch Sahak Maşalyan, issued a written statement condemning the mayor’s language, calling it hate speech that undermines social harmony.
“The Armenian community, which has lived in these lands for centuries, is an integral and inseparable part of this country,” the statement read. “Remarks targeting Armenian identity not only insult a people, but also threaten our shared history and will to coexist.”
Maşalyan said such rhetoric “has never served brotherhood, unity or social peace — not in the past, not today, and not in the future.” He urged public officials to adopt more responsible language and warned that legitimizing hate speech damages all of society, not just minorities.
Özcan has previously attracted controversy for remarks targeting ethnic minorities and immigrants. In recent years he made headlines for proposing measures in Bolu aimed at restricting services for refugees and has faced criticism for statements about Kurds, Syrians and Afghans.
The CHP has not issued a formal statement regarding the tweet.
While Turkish law prohibits incitement to hatred and enmity under Article 216 of the penal code, legal experts note that enforcement is inconsistent and often influenced by political context.
Rights organizations and minority advocates have warned of a rise in discriminatory language and xenophobia in Turkish political discourse, particularly on social media platforms where elected officials face little accountability for inflammatory rhetoric.
