NEWS CENTER - The HDP-run Ikiköprü Municipality in Beşiri, district of Batman was stormed by soldiers who also surrounded and closed off the city hall and searched the building.
While the search in the municipality was ordered by the Ministry of Interior, co-mayor Osman Karabulut was dismissed on the grounds of his ongoing trial in Batman 2nd Criminal Court where he stands facing allegations of "being a member of an illegal organization". Democratically and freely elected Karabulut was replaced by Sinan Aşcı, Beşiri District Governor.
Trustees appointed to Özalp, Muradiye and Başkale municipalities
Özalp Municipality co-mayors Dilan Örenci and Yakup Almaç and Başkale Municipality co-mayor Erkan Acar were taken into custody following house raids in Van on Friday morning.
Özalp District Governor Abdulkadir Çelik was appointed trustee to replace Örenci while Asım Solak District Governor of Başkale replaced Almaç.
The official letter appointing the trustee was forwarded by the police to the Özalp Municipal Council. The search of the premises began on Friday evening. Police broke the locked doors and did not allow the City Council members to enter the building.
In Başkale, the city hall is closed off by police.
Özalp Municipality co-mayors Dilan Örenci and Yakup Almaç, Başkale Municipality co-mayor Erkan Açar, Muradiye Municipality co-mayors Leyla Balkan and Yılmaz Şalan were taken into custody on Friday.
The five co-chairs detained on the allegations of "membership of an illegal organization" and "propaganda for an illegal organization" are being held at the Provincial Security Directorate.
Trustees were appointed to Muradiye Municipality to replace Co- Mayors Leyla Balkan and Yılmaz Şalan. Muradiye District Governer Erkan Savar was appointed as a trustee to Muradiye Municipality.
The last trustee appointments brings to 25 the HDP-run districts muncipalities and 2 councils seized by the government. To which the 3 metropolitan municipalities of Amed, Van and Mardin must be added.