Fikri Sönmez, widely known as Terzi Fikri ('Tailor Fikri')

Fikri Sönmez (widely known as Terzi Fikri ('Fikri the Tailor')) (1938-4 May 1985) in Kabakdağı village of Fatsa district of Ordu in Turkey. He had a poor childhood. After primary school, he started working as an apprentice to a tailor. In the 1960s, he became a member of the Turkish Workers’ Party (TİP) and started active politics. He worked for the organization of TİP in Fatsa. He was a Turkish socialist politician, who served as the mayor of Fatsa district of Ordu Province between 1979 and 1980. He took part in actions against the 6th Fleet together with Dev-Genç (Revolutionary Youth). He was tried in the THKP-C Turkish People’s Communist front case in 1972. He was accused of helping Mahir Çayan2 and his comrades cross the Black Sea after their escape from Maltepe Military Prison. After being detained for about 2 years, he was released with an amnesty in 1974. When it comes to mayors who shook the traditional understanding of local government in Turkey, one of the first names that comes to mind is the former Mayor of Fatsa, Fikri Sönmez. Moreover, although he was able to serve as mayor for a very short period of nine months.