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Appointed a trustee in his place, dismissed Metropolitan Co-Mayor of Diyarbakır Adnan Selçuk Mızraklı and Peoples' Democratic Party's (HDP) Kayapınar District Co-Mayor Kezban Yılmaz, Bismil Co-Mayor Orhan Ayaz and Kocaköy Co-Mayor Rojda Nazlier were taken into custody in a raid conducted to their houses in early morning hours today (October 21).
As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued a warrant against Mızraklı, Yılmaz, Ayaz and Nazlier as part of an investigation launched against them on charges of "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" and "being members of a terrorist organization".
Lawyer: He is detained due to an 'investigation'
Lawyer Mehmet Emin Aktar has announced the detention on Twitter: "Diyarbakır Metropolitan Mayor A. Selçuk Mızraklı has been detained from his house at 6 in the morning. As the reason for the search and detention is only written 'an investigation being conducted'."
Diyarbakır Büyükşehir Belediye Başkanı A. Selçuk Mızraklı sabah 06 da evinden gözaltına alındı. Arama ve gözaltı kararında suçlama nedeni “yürütülen bir soruşturma” yazılı sadece.
— Mehmet Emin Aktar (@MehmetEminAktar) October 21, 2019
What happened?
The Ministry of Interior announced that they dismissed Metropolitan Mayor of Diyarbakır Selçuk Mızraklı, Metropolitan Mayor of Mardin Ahmet Türk and Metropolitan Mayor of Van Bedia Özgökçe Ertan on August 19.
Diyarbakır Governor Hasan Basri Güzeloğlu, Mardin Governor Mustafa Yaman and Van Governor Mehmet Emin Bilmez have been appointed as Acting Metropolitan Mayors, or rather, as trustees.
As reported by Anadolu Agency, the mayors have been removed from office on the ground that there are 9 ongoing investigations against Diyarbakır Metropolitan Mayor Selçuk Mızraklı, 6 ongoing investigations against Mardin Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Türk, 7 ongoing investigations against Van Metropolitan Mayor Bedia Özgükçe Ertan at heavy penal courts. (TP/SD)