Armenian Zekeriya Sabunci, who lives in Derik region of Turkey’s Mardin Province, wishes to become an MP candidate for the forthcoming parliamentary election in the country.

Sabunci, who is one of the three Armenians living in Derik, and who had left his home 25 years ago due to instability in the area but had returned two years ago, submitted an application to the pro-Kurdish “Peoples’ Democratic Party” (HDP) to become its MP candidate from Mardin, reported DHA news agency of Turkey.

Sabunci, 58, who is married and has three children, said he is happy that after one hundred years in Turkey, the HDP had enabled Armenians and the other national minorities the opportunity to be represented in the country’s parliament.

“Seeing this opportunity, I likewise decided to be in parliament,” he added.

Zekeriya Sabunci returned to his paternal home two years ago, and began collecting the fruits of the olive trees his forebears had planted and making soap from the squeezed-out oil.

Turkey’s next parliamentary election is slated for June 7.