Thousands Protest Arrest and Dismissal of Van Mayor
hetq
14:59, June 20, 2012
Thousands took to the streets on Saturday to protest the dismissal of
Van Mayor Bekir Kaya of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) from his
post by the Turkish Interior Ministry.
The Ministry of Interior relieved Van Mayor Bekir Kaya of his duties
after authorities arrested him as part of the ongoing probe into the
Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) in the eastern province of Van.
Interior Minister �°dris Naim ��ahin approved the decision to relieve
Mayor Kaya of his duties despite the fact that his grace period to
appeal had not yet expired.
The letter sent to the Van Governor's Office said Mayor Kaya had been
arrested on the charge of "membership in an armed organization" by
order of a court decision dating to June 10, 2012 and that it would be
appropriate to dismiss him.
"It has been decided to relieve Van Mayor Bekir Kaya of his duties as
an interim measure based on the authority granted upon the Ministry of
Interior in accordance with the fourth sub-clause of the
constitution's 127th article and the 47th article of the 5393rd
Municipality Law, if deemed suitable," the letter said.
hetq
14:59, June 20, 2012
Thousands took to the streets on Saturday to protest the dismissal of
Van Mayor Bekir Kaya of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) from his
post by the Turkish Interior Ministry.
The Ministry of Interior relieved Van Mayor Bekir Kaya of his duties
after authorities arrested him as part of the ongoing probe into the
Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) in the eastern province of Van.
Interior Minister �°dris Naim ��ahin approved the decision to relieve
Mayor Kaya of his duties despite the fact that his grace period to
appeal had not yet expired.
The letter sent to the Van Governor's Office said Mayor Kaya had been
arrested on the charge of "membership in an armed organization" by
order of a court decision dating to June 10, 2012 and that it would be
appropriate to dismiss him.
"It has been decided to relieve Van Mayor Bekir Kaya of his duties as
an interim measure based on the authority granted upon the Ministry of
Interior in accordance with the fourth sub-clause of the
constitution's 127th article and the 47th article of the 5393rd
Municipality Law, if deemed suitable," the letter said.