‘Sell your land’: Pro-government company threatens villagers with expropriation

* Photo: Özer Akdemir

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Cengiz Holding, a pro-government company which has recently made the news with the stone quarry it attempts to open in Rize's İkizdere and the locals' resistance, has sent a letter to the villagers about the gold-copper mine that it wants to operate in Mount Ida.

As reported by Özer Akdemir from daily Evrensel, in its letter addressed to the villagers living in the Halilağa region of Çanakkale province, the company has said, "Come and sell your land; otherwise, as per the Mining Law, we will appeal to the Ministry and request expropriation."

Villagers object to bargaining

The letter penned by Cengiz Holding's attorneys invites the villagers to the hall in Hacıbekirler village for bargaining on May 28, 2021.

"In the event that you do not attend the bargaining negotiations or you attend the negotiations, but we cannot come to an agreement, it will be determined by a notary and as a result of this, a request for the expropriation of the related immovable property according to the Law no. 2942 on Expropritation will be made from the related Ministry as per the Mining Law no. 3213 and the related legislation," the letter of Cengiz Holding has read.

Commenting on the letter, Mustafa Alper Ülger, who is engaged in organic farming in the region, has said that "they are literally threatening people," adding, "On World Farmers Day, is it fair for the villagers who are trying to exist and produce despite all types of unfavorable conditions?" (RT/SD)