NEWS CENTER - The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that trustees were appointed to 3 DEM Party municipalities, citing ongoing investigations and penalties against the co-mayors. 

 

The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that trustees have been appointed to Mêrdîn (Mardin) Metropolitan Municipality, Êlih (Batman) Municipality and Riha (Urfa)/Xelfetî (Halfeti) Municipality under the administration of Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party). 

 

In the statement released by the Ministry, the cases against the co-mayors were listed. 

 

The statement said that Ahmet Türk was sentenced to 10 years in prison for “being a member of an illegal organization” in the Kobanê Case, the ongoing case at Ankara 14th High Criminal Court for “making propaganda for an illegal organization” and the Mardin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's investigation for “being a member of an illegal organization” were used as grounds. 

 

Governor Tuncay Akkoyun was appointed as trustee in Türk's place.  

 

Êlih Co-Mayor Gülistan Sönük was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison by Batman 2nd Assize Court for “being a member of an illegal organization” and two separate investigations conducted by Batman Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for “making propaganda for an illegal organization” and “being a member of an illegal organization”. 

 

Sönük was replaced by Êlih Governor Ekrem Canalp as a trustee. 

 

Xelfetî Co-Mayor Mehmet Karayılan was sentenced to 6 years, 3 months and 15 days in prison by Antep 2nd High Criminal Court for “being a member of an illegal organization” and an investigation conducted by Urfa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for “being a member of an illegal organization”. 

 

District District Governor Hakan Başoğlu was appointed as trustee in Karayılan's place.