HDP district mayor removed from post over self-rule claims in Van, eastern Turkey
by Anadolu Agency
VAN, TurkeyOct 28, 2015 - 12:00 am GMT+3
by Anadolu Agency
Oct 28, 2015 12:00 am
A district mayor from the eastern Van province was removed from her post Wednesday on charges of declaring self-rule.
Diba Keskin, a member of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and co-mayor in Van's Erciş district, was arrested after she allegedly made a call for 'autonomy' in the district through a press statement on October 14.
Photo shows Diba Keskin,the co-mayor of Van's Erciş district.(IHA Photo)
The district prosecutor's office launched an investigation into the incident and Keskin was accused of "performing acts aimed at undermining the state's independence and unity".
Previously, prosecutors in the province of Mardin demanded life sentences for eight people including - co-mayor of the Nusaybin district Sara Kaya - who were all accused of declaring self-rule late August. Self-governing areas were also declared in Nusaybin as well as towns across Sirnak, Hakkari and Mus provinces.
On Aug. 12, the terrorist organization PKK issued a call to "people's assemblies" in parts of Turkey's southeast to declare self-governance, saying the assemblies "would not recognize state institutes and would form their own self-governance".
On Aug. 19, seven people, including Sur Co-Mayor Seyid Narin, and Silvan Co-Mayor Yuksel Bodakci were detained over "autonomy" claims and then two co-mayors were removed from their posts over the indictments.
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