Mersin- Turkish police conducted dawn house raids in Mersin, detaining Hoşyar Sarıyıldız and Nuriye Aslan, Co-mayors of the Akdeniz Municipality from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), Özgür Çağlar, Hikmet Bakırhan and Neslihan Oruç, members of the municipal council. The reason for the detention of co-mayors and members of the municipal council is still unknown while police have surrounded the municipal building with barriers.

 DEM Party Mersin MP Ali Bozan was not allowed to enter the building on the grounds that police have searched the municipality. “We were told that a trustee has been appointed to the Akdeniz Municipality and the appointment of the trustee will be published on the website of the Mersin Governor’s Office,” said Ali Bozan.