The detention of the co-mayors and councillors of the Akdeniz Municipality of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party has sparked protests in Mersin, with citizens denouncing the government’s actions as anti-democratic. Meanwhile, restrictions on lawyers’ access imposed during the first 24 hours have been lifted, allowing legal representatives to meet with the detainees.
The authorities detained the co-mayors of Akdeniz Municipality, Hoşyar Sarıyıldız and Nuriye Arslan, and council members Özgür Çağlar, Neslihan Oruç, Yakup Danış and Hikmet Bakırhan, as part of a confidential investigation launched by the Mersin Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. The move has sparked outrage among citizens and rights groups, who see the arrests as an attack on democratic principles.
The initial 24-hour restriction on access to lawyers has been lifted and the detainees are now meeting with their legal representatives at Mersin police headquarters. However, the investigation remains confidential and the charges remain unclear.
Protesters gathered outside the municipality building, condemning both the arrests and the possible appointment of government trustees (kayyım). Şükran Aktaş of the Human Rights Association (İHD) criticised the government, saying: “The appointment of trustees is a direct attack on the right to vote and be elected. These anti-democratic actions must stop and our co-mayors must be released immediately”.
Activist Çağlar Fırat stressed the importance of public resistance and said, “These measures will not succeed. Our people are determined to protect their democratic will and institutions.”
Feminist activist Fatma Erdal linked the incident to wider systemic issues, saying: “These interventions are part of a long-standing policy against Kurdish political representation and women’s gains. We call on everyone to resist these injustices.”
The incident drew criticism from Fuat Yaman, co-chair of the DEM Party in Tarsus, who described the move as “an unprecedented anti-democratic practice”. Müslüm Tanlı, a local citizen, called for wider solidarity and urged democratic forces to oppose such actions.
The protests underline growing concerns about government intervention in opposition-led municipalities, particularly those with significant Kurdish representation.
