13 people including Co-Mayors Cennet Ayık and Burhan Kocaman were detained in Elazığ’s Karakoçan district yesterday. 11 of these people were released on probation, but Co-Presidents Ayık and Kocaman were charged with"opposition to the laws on tenders and taxes," "unfair economic gain," "fraud harming public institution," and "malpractice."

People of Karakoçan waited in front of Karakoçan Courthouse for 12 hours against the arrest of their Co-Mayors and the appointment of trustees.

DBP Elazığ Provincial Co-President Mehmet Nafız addressed protestors in front of the municipality, refuted local journalists’ accusations against the Co-Mayors for corruption as false, and said that charges were propped up in order to appoint a trustee to the municipality. Nafız said that they would defend their political will and achieve victory through unity.

Lastly, Nafız called upon people to join the watch protest at the municipality tomorrow at 12:00 in order to stand up for their municipality, will and honor. The arrested Co-Mayors were taken to Elazığ E-Type Closed Prison.