Fikri Sönmez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fikri Sönmez
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Fikri Sönmez at office
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| Mayor of Fatsa, Ordu Province | |
| In office 1979–1980 |
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| Preceded by | Nazmiye Komitoğlu |
| Succeeded by | Mazhar Yerebasmaz |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1938 Kabakdağı village, Fatsa Turkey |
| Died | 4 May 1985 Amasya, Turkey |
| Resting place | Kabakdağı village, Fatsa |
| Spouse | Nurten Sönmez (married 1962) |
| Children | Naci (son), Yusuf (son) |
| Profession | Tailor, politician |
Fikri Sönmez (also known as Terzi Fikri, which means "Fikri the Tailor") was a Turkish politician. He was born in 1938 and passed away on May 4, 1985. He served as the mayor of the Fatsa district in Ordu Province from 1979 to 1980.
Early Life and Activism
Fikri Sönmez was born in a village called Kabakdağı in Fatsa, Turkey. His family was from the Chveneburi community, who are Muslim Georgians. After finishing primary school, he began working as a tailor.
Later, he moved to Istanbul. In the 1960s, he joined a political group called the Workers Party of Turkey (TİP). He took part in peaceful protests against visits by the United States Sixth Fleet to Turkey starting in 1969. These protests were organized by a youth group called Dev-Genç (Revolutionary Youth).
From 1972 to 1974, Fikri Sönmez was put in prison because of his political activities. After 1975, he became more involved in politics in the cities of Ordu, Giresun, and Samsun.
Becoming Mayor of Fatsa
After the previous mayor of Fatsa, Nazmiye Komitoğlu, passed away, Fikri Sönmez decided to run for the position. He ran as an independent candidate, meaning he didn't belong to a major political party. He won the election and became the new mayor.
As mayor, he worked to improve life in Fatsa. He divided the town into eleven areas and created special "people's committees." These committees helped local citizens get involved in making decisions for their community.
He started important campaigns to solve problems in Fatsa. He worked to reduce violence against women, improve the town's roads and services, and address issues like gambling and diseases caused by poor living conditions. Because of his efforts to make the town better, he gained support from many different groups of people in Fatsa.
However, some political groups, like the Justice Party (AP), disagreed with his approach. They believed he was trying to create a separate system within the country. On July 11, 1980, the Turkish military carried out an operation in the town. Fikri Sönmez was arrested and sent to prison.
Fikri Sönmez sadly passed away from a heart attack on May 4, 1985, while he was in prison in Amasya.
He was survived by his wife, Nurten Sönmez, whom he married in 1962, and their two sons, Naci and Yusuf.
