RIHA - Xelfetî Co-Mayor Mehmet Karayılan, who was replaced by a trustee, said: “We will stand by the people until the end. We will not step back.” 

 

A trustee was appointed to Xelfetî (Halfeti) Municipality of Riha (Urfa), which was under the administration of Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party). While police officers are waiting in front of the house of Co-Mayor Mehmet Karayılan, the blockade in the municipality building continues. 

 

Co-Mayor Karayılan stated that the trustee decision was communicated to him by the police. Karayılan stated that the trustee decision is “not recognizing the will of the Kurdish people”. 

 

“This has been going on for years. The will of the people to govern themselves always comes to fruition. The mentality that cannot digest this takes the field every time. This is oppression. Our people do not accept this. We will stand by the people until the end. We will not step back. We will always stay with the people and protect their values. We are the co-chairs elected by the people, we will continue to stand by the people even if we are not officially in office” he said.