DEM Party announces mass rally in Colemêrg

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - The Peoples' Democratic Party (DEM Party) has announced a mass rally in Colemêrg (also known as Hakkâri) on Thursday to protest the appointment of a government trustee for the Municipality of Colemêrg.

Read More: Kurdish politicians condemn government trustee appointment in Colemêrg municipality

DEM Party Spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan stated that the rally, scheduled for June 13, aims to reject the appointment of a government trustee and uphold democratic principles.

She emphasized that the Turkish Interior Ministry should return the mayor's post to her party, which had elected a new mayor by a majority vote of municipal council members.

On Wednesday, a court in Turkey sentenced Mehmet Sıddık Akış, a pro-Kurdish mayor, to 19 and a half years in prison on alleged charges of "terrorism." His lawyer condemned the ruling, describing it as a "coup d'etat" by Mr. Akış’s party. Akış, who was removed from his post and detained just two days prior, labeled the proceedings as a "political trial."

Read More: Turkey jails ousted pro-Kurdish mayor for nearly 20 years

Following Akış's removal, the city council elected Viyan Tekçe as the new mayor of Colemêrg and now demands that the post be returned to their party.

"The Interior Ministry should return the post to its real owner, Viyan Tekçe, who was elected by the members of the Colemêrg municipal council," said Ayşegül Doğan.

The mass rally is expected to draw significant attention and highlight the DEM Party's stance against the government's actions in Colemêrg.