Tunceli (Dêrsim) Co-Mayor Birsen Orhan, from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, was released on Tuesday after a court accepted a lawyer’s appeal against her recent arrest. Orhan had been detained on 30 November for ‘resisting a public official’ and ‘violating protest laws’ during demonstrations against the removal of herself and other Kurdish politicians from elected positions, and their replacement by ‘government trustees’.
Her detention marked the second time in weeks she faced judicial scrutiny, as she had been placed under house arrest on 24 November for similar charges. Following her release, Orhan is subject to a judicial control measure, including a travel ban.
Her position remains contentious, with the government-appointed trustee maintaining control in Tunceli.
