Turkish authorities detained dozens, including Diyarbakır’s (Amed) Kayapınar (Peyas) District Co-Mayor Cengiz Dündar and journalists, in a wave of arrests early on Tuesday, sparking fierce criticism from opposition groups.
The Democratic Regions Party (DBP) and the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party denounced the detentions as part of a broader campaign targeting Kurdish politicians and democratic opposition. “These arrests are a direct attack on public will, freedom, and the demand for democracy,” the DBP said in a statement.
The DEM Party condemned the government’s actions, accusing authorities of focusing on silencing opposition instead of addressing pressing societal issues. “As crises mount, the regime opts for suppression to cling to power,” the party stated, calling for immediate release of detainees.
Both parties linked the arrests to the government’s continued policy of appointing trustees to replace elected officials in Kurdish municipalities, labelling the moves as “political genocide” against Kurdish autonomy.
The arrests come amid increasing political tension in Turkey, with critics accusing the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) – Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) alliance of using authoritarian measures to suppress dissent ahead of key elections.
Opposition leaders vowed to resist these measures through democratic means, urging public solidarity.
