Belgian politician faces dismissal for anti-coup stance

By Hasan Esen

BRUSSELS

A Turkish-origin Belgian politician faces expulsion from his party over a social media post protesting the July 15 coup bid in Turkey.

Ahmet Koc, deputy head of the Limburg regional assembly in eastern Belgium, told Anadolu Agency he updated his Facebook status to “Let’s unite and not give any chance to coup-plotters” on the night of the attempt to overthrow Turkey’s government.

He now faces dismissal from Socialist Party Differently after a group of anti-coup protesters marched on a nearby association linked to Fetullah Gulen, the U.S.-based preacher said to be behind the coup attempt as the head of the Fetullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO).

When they reached the Vuslat Union offices, they broke into the building and caused damage. A second protest the day after the coup was stopped by police.

“After the protests, somebody told journalists that I was leading the march and provoked the protesters,” Koc said. “I was framed by FETO members.”

He is due to appear before a party commission on Aug. 31 when he could be temporarily or permanently dismissed from the party.

“My Facebook post was portrayed as if I provoked people to hold a protest,” Koc said. “Apparently, local media reports sourced FETO members in their stories and made it look like I am guilty.”

Selim Yildiz, the imam of Beringen Mosque in Limburg, described Koc as a “one-of-a-kind politician”. He added: “The people of Beringen will support Koc with a petition, hopefully preventing any sanctions against him.”