Arrest of co-mayors of Diyarbakir, Turkey and the reaction from the European Union

The co-mayors of the Turkish city of Diyarbakir were detained on 25 October 2016 as part of a 'terrorism' probe, according to local security officials. Later, the city's prosecutor said in a statement that Gultan Kisanak and Firat Anli were accused of having links to the Kurdistan Workers' party (PKK) and 'inciting violence'. The move sparked protests, which were met with tear gas and water cannons by the police.

The European Commission reacted to these detentions, showing concern over the arrests of democratically elected co-mayors. While it supported the need to curb the activities of the PKK - deemed as a terrorist organisation by the EU - it urged authorities in Turkey to respect the rule of law.

ESO: Background information: Turkey removes two dozen elected mayors in Kurdish militant crackdown http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkey-removes-two-dozen-elected-mayors-in-kurdish-militant-crackdown/

Deutsche Welle, 31.10.16: Mayors of Turkish town formally arrested for supporting 'terrorist activities' http://dw.com/p/2RusT

openDemocracy, 01.11.16: Writing from Diyarbakır under blockade https://www.opendemocracy.net/nurcan-baysal/writing-from-diyarbak-r-under-blockade

TRT World, 28.10.16: Violence flares in southeastern Turkey http://www.trtworld.com/turkey/violence-flares-in-southeast-turkey-after-mayors-arrest-215961

Deutsche Welle, 28.10.16: 'They are aiding and abetting human rights violations' http://dw.com/p/2RrMT

BBC News, 25.10.16: Mayors of Kurdish Turkey city Diyarbakir held in terror probe http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37770213

France24, 26.10.16: Clashes rock Turkey's Diyarbakir after arrest of Kurdish mayors http://www.france24.com/en/20161026-clashes-rock-turkey-diyarbakir-arrest-kurdish-mayors

TRT World, 26.10.16: Turkey’s state prosecutor arrests co-mayors of Diyarbakir http://www.trtworld.com/turkey/turkeys-state-prosecutor-arrests-co-mayors-of-diyarbakir-214589

Deutsche Welle, 26.10.16: Turkish police disperse protesters in Diyarbakir after arrest of Kurdish mayors http://dw.com/p/2Rjhc

The Wall Street Journal, 26.10.16: Turkey’s Kurds Stage Nationwide Protests Over Arrests http://www.wsj.com/articles/police-disperse-crowd-protesting-detentions-in-turkey-1477484421

Euronews, 26.10.16: Clashes erupt in Diyarbakir over mayor arrests http://www.euronews.com/2016/10/26/clashes-erupt-in-diyarbakir-over-mayor-arrests

Hürriyet Daily News, 31.10.16: Turkish court arrests Diyarbakır co-mayors http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-court-arrests-diyarbakir-co-mayors.aspx?PageID=238&NID=105554

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