3 Opposition Mayors Arrested in Southern Turkey Tensions Rise

Post by : Priya

   Photo:AFP

In a move that has triggered serious political and human rights concerns, three opposition mayors in southern Turkey were arrested this week. The arrests were carried out in early morning raids, and the detained officials belong to the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), which has long been a target of the government led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The government claims that these mayors have links to terrorist activities, specifically to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). However, critics argue that this is another attempt by the Turkish government to suppress democratic opposition and silence elected officials.

Who Were the Arrested Mayors?

The arrested mayors were from the cities of Mardin, Diyarbakır, and Van — all located in Turkey's southeast and home to large Kurdish populations. These areas have historically supported the HDP, giving the party significant local power through elections.

The arrested individuals were:

Ahmet Turk (Mardin)

Selcuk Mizrakli (Diyarbakır)

Bedia Ozgokce Ertan (Van)

Each of these mayors had recently won their elections with significant margins, showing strong local support.

The Charges and Government's Justification

The Turkish Interior Ministry stated that the arrests were part of a wider anti-terror investigation. According to the Ministry, the mayors were using municipal resources to support the PKK, which is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.

The government claims to have evidence including financial records, phone communications, and social media posts that allegedly tie the mayors to PKK-related activities. However, these claims have not yet been tested in court, and no formal convictions have been made at the time of writing.

What Is the HDP?

The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) is Turkey's third-largest political party and is known for promoting minority rights, especially for the Kurdish population. The HDP has faced continued pressure from the Turkish government, which accuses it of having links to the PKK.

The HDP strongly denies these accusations and maintains that it supports democratic and peaceful solutions for all ethnic groups in Turkey. The party argues that the Turkish government is trying to criminalize opposition politics, especially in Kurdish regions.

Reaction From the Public and Political Figures

The arrests caused outrage among many Turkish citizens, especially those in the affected cities. Protests erupted in several districts, with citizens demanding the immediate release of their elected leaders.

One protester in Diyarbakır said, "We voted for our mayor. This is our right. The government has no right to remove them without a court decision."

Opposition parties, including the Republican People's Party (CHP), also condemned the arrests. CHP leader Özgür Özel said, "This is not about terrorism. This is about the government being afraid of losing power. They are punishing people for voting the way they want."

History of Crackdowns on the HDP

Since the 2016 coup attempt, the Turkish government has increased its pressure on opposition voices, including politicians, journalists, and academics. The HDP has been particularly affected.

More than 50 HDP mayors have been dismissed, arrested, or replaced since 2016.

Former HDP co-leaders Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ have been in prison for several years on terror-related charges.

Thousands of HDP members and supporters have faced legal action, often without strong evidence.

These actions have been widely criticized by international human rights groups, who say that Turkey is undermining democracy and the rule of law.

The Role of Trustees

In previous cases, the Turkish government replaced elected mayors with "trustees" — appointed officials who take over municipal duties. This practice has been used again in this case. Trustees from the Ministry of Interior have already taken over the duties of the arrested mayors.

Critics say this is a violation of democratic principles. They argue that removing elected officials without a court ruling or public input is undemocratic and fuels further distrust in government institutions.

International Reaction

The international community has responded with concern. Organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the European Union have issued statements condemning the arrests.

A spokesperson for the EU said, "Turkey must respect the results of democratic elections. Arresting mayors without a fair trial process raises serious concerns about the state of democracy in the country."

The United States State Department also called on Turkey to uphold democratic norms and ensure that due legal process is followed.

Turkey's Political Climate

The arrests come at a time of growing political tension in Turkey. The ruling AKP party has been losing popularity in many urban areas, while the opposition is gaining ground.

Many analysts believe the government is using legal and institutional tools to hold onto power, especially ahead of potential early elections. The arrests are seen by some as part of a broader strategy to weaken opposition forces before they can become a serious electoral threat.

Kurdish Issue Remains Unresolved

The Kurdish issue remains one of Turkey's most complex and long-standing political problems. Kurds make up around 15-20% of the population but have historically faced cultural and political discrimination.

Efforts at peace between the Turkish state and the PKK have repeatedly broken down, and violence has often followed. Many believe that a political solution is necessary, and that silencing Kurdish political voices only makes the problem worse.