Mêrdîn- Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs announced early Monday that the Co-mayors of Mardin, Êlih (Batman) and Xelfetî (Halfeti), three municipalities run by the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), have been removed from office and trustees have been appointed in their place.

Turkish police have built barricades in front of the Mardin Metropolitan Municipality and have not allowed Co-mayors to enter the building.

 Following the announcement of the state-appointed trustees to the municipalities, Mardin Co-mayors Devrim Demir and Ahmet Türk and DEM Party MPs Saliha Aydeniz and Beritan Güneş went in front of the municipal building and protested the appointment of trustees. They tried to enter the building; however, Turkish police did not allow them. Thereupon, the people gathering in front of the building chanted slogans such as “We stand by our will and the elected”, “They were elected by people” and “You will go, we will stay”.

 ‘Everyone should take to the streets to protest’

 Then, DEM Party MP Saliha Aydeniz made a speech, recalling that November 4 is the anniversary of the November 4, 2016 political coup. “The appointment of trustees is the repetition of the 2016 political coup,” said Saliha Aydeniz. “This is a coup attempt against the future of Türkiye once again. It started in Colemêrg (Hakkari) and then Esenyurt and now in three cities. This shows that this political coup will continue. Everyone demanding democracy in this country should raise their voices and take to the streets to protest the appointment of trustees.”

 ‘You will be held accountable’

 After her speech, Saliha Aydeniz tried to enter the municipal building again; however, prevented her. “You cannot decide whether I enter the building or not. You are committing a crime,” Saliha Aydeniz told police officers preventing her from entering the building. “You will be held accountable for this crime. Things will definitely change.”

 Police attacked the people gathering in front of the building by using tear gas.