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After trustees have been appointed to the Metropolitan Municipalities of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) in Mardin, Diyarbakır and Van by the Ministry of Interior, people have come together in Diyarbakır, Van and İstanbul to protest the appointment of trustees.
CLICK - Mayors of Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van Removed from Office
Pressurized water used on protesters in Diyarbakır
In Diyarbakır, people came together on Elazığ Street, where the municipality building is located. As the police did not allow the group to march, a row erupted between the police and the protesters.
The police intervened against the group with pressurized water. Some people have been reportedly wounded during the intervention.
As reported by Mezopotamya Agency (MA), among the ones who attempted to march from the HDP Diyarbakır Provincial Organization building, but were prevented by the police were also MPs, Co-Mayors and executives of the HDP. As the reason for the prevention, the police referred to the ban on demonstrations and events imposed by Diyarbakır Governor Hasan Basri Güzeloğlu, who has been appointed as Acting Mayor today.
While former Diyarbakır Bar Association Chair Ahmet Özmen was also seen to be arguing with the police, the group dispersed to the side streets.
Police intervention in Van
As Van Metropolitan Mayor Bedia Özgökçe Ertan of the HDP has been removed from office by the Ministry of Interior, Governor of Van Mehmet Ali Bilmez has been appointed as a trustee in her place.
In the meanwhile, people from the HDP attempted to march to the municipality. However, they were also prevented by the police. Among the ones who tried to walk to the building were HDP Van MP Muazzez Orhan and Van Metropolitan Co-Mayors Bedia Özgökçe Ertan and Mustafa Avcı.
As the group was intercepted by the police when they were about to reach the municipality building, a brief row erupted between the police and HDP MP Orhan. Armored vehicles were also positioned along the barricade.
The police did not allow the group to proceed and intervened against the group, who then dispersed to the side streets.
Statement in İstanbul under police barricade
The HDP İstanbul Provincial Organization also held a statement for the press in front of its İstanbul Provincial building in Tarlabaşı, Beyoğlu. It was seen that there were several police officers on the street when the statement was being read out. During the statement of the party, a banner was opened, which read "The will of the people cannot be seized."
22 people detained in Muğla
A statement was also attempted to be held in front of the HDP Muğla Provincial Organization building. Intervening against the group, the police have taken 22 people into custody.
Mardin
In Mardin, where a trustee is appointed, people came in front of the municipality. The group, among whom were also HDP MPs Ömer Öcalan, Hüseyin Kaçmaz and Ayşe Sürücü, attempted to enter the municipality; but, they were prevented by the riot police and special operation forces. The group held their statement for the press in front of the building.
On the other side, Confederation of Public Employees Trade Unions (KESK) Mardin Branch and Mardin Medical Chamber have also released statements and denounced the appointment of trustees. (EMK/SD)
* Photographs: Mezopotamya Agency
