HDP’s dismissed Batman Co-Mayor Demir detained

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Replaced with a trustee by the Ministry of Interior, Peoples' Democratic Party's (HDP) Batman Co-Mayor Mehmet Demir has been detained.

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), Demir was taken into custody while he was leaving the HDP Batman Office yesterday (July 21).

Facing charges as part of an investigation that was launched by the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on October 9, 2018, Demir has been reportedly taken to the Security Directorate.

Mehmet Demir was previously detained and released with Batman Co-Mayor Songül Korkmaz, Batman Vice Co-Mayors Şehriban Aydın and Salih Çetinkaya, Batman Municipal Council Co-Spokespersons Şükran Çelebi and Recep Yargı, Silvan Co-Mayor Naşide Toprak, Ergani Co-Mayor Ahmet Kaya, Eğil Co-Mayor Mustafa Akkul and Yenişehir Co-Mayor Belgin Diken.

On the same day when they were taken into custody, the Ministry of Interior removed them from office, appointing trustees to the Municipalities of Batman, Ergani, Eğil, Lice, Silvan, Güroymak, Halfeli and Gökçebağ.

Later in 2020, Mehmet Demir was also detained with 41 others as part of an operation against the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) on June 26, 2020. He was released afterwards. (EKN/SD)