Demonstrations continue in protest at the AKP regime’s usurpation of HDP-run metropolitan municipalities in Amed (Diyarbakır), Mardin and Van through the removal of democratically elected mayors and appointment of trustees in their place.

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Ankara branch and democratic forces organised a demonstration at the busiest Sakarya Square to protest the seizure of municipalities.

After riot police surrounded the crowd, the police chief said that no demonstration would be allowed at the square and threatened to intervene in the event that they didn’t disperse.

In response to the police chief who told the HDP group they could make their press statement only in HDP offices, HDP provincial branch co-chair Zeyno Bayramoğlu said that they were using their democratic right.

Police attacked the HDP group when they refused to disperse and detained many people including HDP administrators. While the detainees were violently battered and dragged on the ground, journalists were prevented from covering the crackdown and challenged attempts of detention.

After the detention of demonstrators, police laid a siege in the area and moved away everyone around using their shields.

Sociologist and activist Veli Saçılık, who lost one of his arms in the "Operation Return to Life" against political prisoners in December 2000, was also battered and detained as he loudly protested the police brutality.  22 people were detained during the police attack at Sakarya Square.

On the other hand, another group that gathered in front of Çankaya Municipality to protest the seizure of HDP municipalities, were also attacked by the police who detained 20 people.

Those taken into custody in Ankara today include HDP provincial branch co-chair Zeyno Bayramoğlu, HDK (Peoples’ Democratic Congress) provincial branch co-spokesperson Fatma Kılıçarslan and HDP provincial administrator Betül Koca.