* Photo: Mezopotamya Agency
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Peoples' Democratic Party's (HDP) Varto District Co-Mayors Ülkü Karaaslan and Mahmut Yalçın and Bulanık District Co-Mayors Eylem Saruca and Adnan Topçu have been taken into custody in raids conducted to their houses in early morning hours today (December 17).
Varto Municipal Council member Mahmut Yalçın has also been detained as part of an investigation conducted by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
While the police forces have set up a security cordon in front of Varto and Bulanık Municipalities, they are reportedly searching the buildings.
Arrests in 6 municipalities
Of the dismissed HDP Co-Mayors, the following have been arrested:
Muradiye Co-Mayor Yılmaz Şalan and Özalp Co-Mayors Dilan Örenci and Yakup Almaç, Suruç Co-Mayor Hatice Çevik, İpekyolu Co-Mayors Azim Yacan and Şehzade Kurt, Diyarbakır Metropolitan Co-Mayor Adnan Selçuk Mızraklı and Kızıltepe Co-Mayor Nilüfer Elik Yılmaz. (HA/SD)