The Confederation of Public Workers Union (KESK) issued a written statement about the dismissal and arrest of the HDP co-mayors of the municipalities of Silvan, Lice, Eğil and Ergani (in the province of Amed) and Batman.

The statement underlined that coronavirus cases are gradually increasing in the country, and added: "Instead of concentrating its efforts on ensuring effective measures to prevent the coronavirus epidemic from spreading further, the government is further depening the repression against the HDP and the freely and democratically elected mayors."

The statement added: "The appointment of trustees to the municipalities of Batman, Silvan, Lice, Eğil and Ergani, and the detention of the co-mayors show that the AKP has opted for a more authoritarian management approach turning the coronavirus epidemic into an opportunity to increase repression."

The statement underlined that turning the coronavirus epidemic into an opportunity to increase repression, is the most organized form of evil. 

KESK ended its statement with these remarks: "Do not destroy the social relations any further at such a historical and dramatic time in which millions are forced to stat home. The trustee policy must be abandoned immediately and fighting the epidemic must be the priority."