Melike Göksu, who was elected co-mayor of Karayazı district in Erzurum in the 2019 local elections with the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), was arrested on September 18, 2019, on charges of “being a member of an illegal organization.” Göksu was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison, and was replaced by a trustee appointed by the Ministry of the Interior.

Göksu faced arbitrary obstruction despite being eligible for conditional release.

Held in Sincan Women's Closed Prison in Ankara, Göksu had her release prevented for three months by a decision of the Prison Administration and Observation Board on the grounds of “not attending the board meeting”.