Turkish City Imposes Price Increases to Deter Refugees

City of Bolu. Photo: Wikipedia Commons/Dosseman

According to the new law, foreigners will now pay around 2.2 euros per cubic metre for water supplies and 100,000 Turkish liras (over 7,200 euros) for civil marriages in the city of Bolu.

Mayor Tanju Ozcan, of the Republican People's Party, CHP, Turkey's main opposition party, who is known for his populist and xenophobic statements, said that the law is only applicable to foreigners who have obtained a residency permit as a refugee or migrant.

Ozcan said on Tuesday that refugees can go to Damascus if they are unhappy with the decision.

"Water is cheaper in Damascus and they can marry cheaper there," he said.

The decision was backed by councillors from the opposition Nation's Alliance, which includes the CHP and the Good Party. Councillors from ruling coalition of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan voted against the legislation.

The passing of the legislation sparked criticism of mayor Ozcan, who was accused of discrimination.

"The CHP must expel Bolu Mayor Ozcan, who segregates [people]," Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, a prominent human rights activist and an MP from the People's Democratic Party, HDP said after the municipal vote.

Ozcan previously announced that he would make foreign nationals pay ten times more than Turks for their water bills and waste disposal in an attempt to force them out.

"We want them [refugees] to leave," Ozcan said on August 4.

The Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into Ozcan over possible charges of "misconduct in office" and "hate and discrimination" relating to his statement.

According to official figures, Turkey is currently hosting more than four million refugees, mostly from Syria,...