Official statements from the European Union or verified news reports

Turkey Removes Pro-Kurdish Mayors in Mardin, Batman, Halfeti Over Terrorism Charges

Nov 4, 2024, 11:30 AM

Turkey has removed three elected pro-Kurdish mayors from office in the southeastern cities of Mardin, Batman, and Halfeti on Monday, citing terrorism-related charges and convictions. The Interior Ministry announced that state-appointed trustees would replace the dismissed mayors. The mayors, affiliated with the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (Dem), were accused of having connections to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The move follows recent overtures by the government towards jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Critics, including CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel and Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, have condemned the dismissals, with Ozel describing it as a 'coup'. This action is part of a broader crackdown on pro-Kurdish politicians in Turkey.