Turkish court arrests ousted co-mayor of eastern Dersim province for 'violating law on assemblies'
A Turkish court has arrested Birsen Orhan, co-mayor of the eastern Dersim province from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party for "violating the law on assemblies." Orhan was removed from office and replaced by a trustee last week after being charged with “terror organization membership.”
Duvar English
Turkish police on Nov. 30 detained the ousted co-mayor of the eastern Dersim province, Birsen Orhan, of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party.
Orhan had been released under house arrest on November 24 after the Interior Ministry removed her from office, charging her with being a member of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Officials transferred Orhan to the Tunceli Courthouse, where she completed her statement to the prosecutor.
The prosecutor charged Orhan with “violating the law on assemblies and demonstrations” and “resisting to prevent duty” and referred her to a judge for arrest. The court ruled to arrest Orhan on the same charges.
Dersim Co-Mayor Cevdet Konak and Ovacık Mayor Mustafa Sarıgül, both from the DEM Party, were sentenced to six years and three months in prison for alleged membership in the PKK/KCK, which are deemed armed terrorist organizations by Turkey. The Interior Ministry consequently appointed trustees to their posts.
In response, protests erupted in the province in which Orhan participated and made public statements. Authorities detained her on November 23, accusing her of “openly inciting the public to commit a crime.” A court imposed a travel ban and house arrest at the time.