Turkey detains pro-Kurdish DEM Party mayors, city council members

Duvar English

As part of an investigation initiated by the Mersin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Turkish authorities on Jan. 10 detained Akdeniz District Municipality's co-mayors Hoşyar Sarıyıldız and Nuriye Arslan from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party.

Municipal council members Özgür Çağlar, Neslihan Oruç, Yakup Danış, and Hikmet Bakırhan from DEM Party were also taken into custody.

According to the state-run Anadolu Agency’s (AA) report, the investigation was being conducted on charges including "propagating for a terrorist organization," "membership in an armed terrorist organization," "violations under the Law on the Prevention of Financing of Terrorism," and "violations of the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations." 

Police carried out searches at the Akdeniz Municipality building and took security measures around the premises.

DEM Party Mersin deputy Ali Bozan issued a statement on social media, "Mersin's peace is once again being disrupted through the imposition of a trustee. Mersin will not accept this attempt at usurping the will of its people. We call on all citizens, starting with Mersin's elected representatives, to stand firm against the seizure of Akdeniz Municipality and protect their democratic will."

DEM Party had won Akdeniz Municipality with 36.92% of the votes, defeating its closest rival, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidate, who received 30.38%, by a significant margin.

Ankara has appointed several trustees to replace elected mayors from DEM Party and main-opposition Republican People’s Party since the 2024 local elections. 

This move came amid the recent attempt of the government to reconcile with Kurdish politicians, DEM Party, and outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan.