Metropolitan Mayors of Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van Removed from Office

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Metropolitan Mayors of Turkey's southeastern provinces of Diyarbakır and Mardin and eastern province of Van have been removed from office. Announcing the dismissal of the mayors with a written statement, the Ministry of Interior has stated that the mayors have been removed from office on the ground that there is an investigation against them.

According to the statement of the Ministry, Diyarbakır Metropolitan Mayor Selçuk Mızraklı, Mardin Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Türk and Van Metropolitan Mayor Bedia Özgökçe Ertan have been removed from office.

Diyarbakır Governor Hasan Basri Güzeloğlu, Mardin Governor Mustafa Yaman and Van Governor Mehmet Emin Bilmez have been appointed as Acting Metropolitan Mayors in these 3 provinces.

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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.

On the other side, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Diyarbakır MP Saliha Aydeniz have shared a video on her social media account and announced that the Diyrabkır Municipal building has been blockaded.

Diyarbakır büyükşehir belediyesi ablukaya alınmış ve içeride arama yapılıyor.
Emniyet şube müd. Belediye eşbaşkanımızın görevden alındığını sözlü ifade etmesi bu ülkenin adaletinin, hukukunun geldiği yeri işaret ediyor. pic.twitter.com/d69xq5AbAR

— Saliha AYDENİZ (@Saliha_Aydeniz) August 19, 2019

They were elected by receiving over half of the votes

After the coup attempt on July 15, 2016, trustees were appointed to the Metropolitan Municipalities of Van, Diyarbakır and Mardin. These municipalities were administered by state-appointed trustees until the latest local elections on March 31, 2019.

In the elections, HDP Diyarbakır co-mayor candidates Adnan Selçuk Mızraklı and Hülya Alökmen Uyanık have been elected by 62.93 percent of the votes, Ahmet Türk has been elected the Metropolitan Mayor of Van by receiving 56.24 percent of votes and Bedia Ertan Özgökçe has been elected as Van Metropolitan Mayor by receiving 53.83 percent of votes. (RT/SD)