HDP’s Şehsade Kurt and Azim Yacan were elected co-mayors to the municipality of Van’s İpekyolu district in the local elections of March 31. On November 8, the HDP co-mayors were replaced by a trustee appointed by the Ministry of the Interior and then imprisoned on November 11.

The ousted co-mayors have appeared before court for the first time today. The hearing at the 7th Heavy Penal Court of Van was attended by both co-mayors and their lawyers as well as administrators from the Van provincial branch of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).

During the hearing which lasted three and a half hours, the court ruled continuation of detention for both co-mayors and scheduled the next hearing for May 6.

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