A letter was signed by dozens of politicians, mayors, unionists and people in Wales to express solidarity with the mayors of Amed, Mardin and Van.

The letter reads:

"Once again democratically elected Kurdish politicians are being stripped from office by the Turkish state and replaced with unelected state appointees. All democrats everywhere must raise their voices against this assault on democracy, voters rights and freedom of expression.

The Mayors of Diyarbakir, Mardin and Van provinces - all of whom secured large majorities in March's local elections - must be re-instated immediately."

The letter continues:

"We condemn the ongoing state persecution of elected politicians, party activists and supporters of the pro-Kurdish left wing People's Democratic Party (HDP) Turkey's second largest opposition party representing millions of voters. This includes the unlawful imprisonment of Selahattin Demirtaş, former MP and HDP co-chair on baseless terrorism charges."

Signatories "call upon Turkey to end the war on Kurdish rights and choose the path of peace, dialogue and democracy."

Initial signatories include:

Adam Price AM, Leader, Plaid Cymru

Anthony Slaughter, Leader, Wales Green Party

Mike Hedges AM  Labour, Swansea East

Mick Antoniw AM

Bethan Sayed AM

Helen Mary Jones AM

Cllr Andrew Nicholson, Mayor Pontardawe Town Council

Cllr Sue Northcott,  Pontardawe Town Council 

Morgan Owen Bowler-Brown & Sioned James, Co-Chairs, Plaid Ifanc

Greg Cullen, Playwright & Artistic Director, Shock n Awe Performance Company

Hilary Brown, Laywer

Len Arthur, Left Unity Wales 

Cllr Dale Rooke, Deputy Mayor of Chepstow

Allison Hulmes National director, British Association of Social Workers Cymru

Chris Campbell, South Wales Jamaican Society'