Turkish ex-mayor sought for terror links speaks at CoE

STRASBOURG, France

A former mayor in Turkey being sought for terror links was allowed to give a speech Wednesday at a session of the Council of Europe.

Leyla Imret, a former mayor of Cizre district in Sirnak province who has a warrant out for her arrest for producing terrorist propaganda, delivered a speech in the French city of Strasbourg at a session of the Council of Europe titled "Mayors Under Pressure".

Turkish mayors who attended the session said Imret's delivery of a speech was "unacceptable" and "scandalous."

Izmit city Mayor Nevzat Dogan, speaking to Anadolu Agency, said Imret delivering a speech is "neglecting the superiority of law and values of the Council of Europe."

"Her speaking here is a clear violation of Council of Europe standards," Dogan added.

Imret has been an active supporter of the PYD/PKK terrorist group and has been attending its protests and meetings.

More than 1,200 people, including security force personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July 2015.

Reporting by Omer Aydin; Writing by Satuk Bugra Kutlugun