Arrest of co-head of Dersim municipality in N Kurdistan

Turkish authorities have arrested the co- head of the municipality of Dersim, Persan Orhan, elected from the Equality and Peoples' Democracy Party.

This comes after the authorities earlier arrested the mayor, Jewdat Konak, who was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison after occupying the municipality.

A statement issued by the Interior Ministry of the Turkish authorities on November 22, announcing the imposition of Bulent Tekbekoglu as the guardian of the municipal affairs of the city of Dersim in N Kurdistan, instead of the co-elected co- head of the Equality and Peoples' Democracy Party, Jewdat Konak and Persen Orhan.

Following the Turkish authorities' decisions in the city of Dersim in N Kurdistan, there were widespread protests, and protesters were able to remove barricades erected by the authorities' security after strong confrontations.

The Turkish regime continues to carry out systematic crackdowns in the northern areas of Kurdistan, including dismissals and arrests of opponents of the regime, amid escalating protests and demands to address arbitrary decisions that violate basic rights and freedoms.

Sh-S

ANHA