Protests in Van (Wan), a Kurdish-majority city in eastern Turkey, have escalated after the government removed elected mayor Abdullah Zeydan on 15 February and appointed Governor Ozan Balcı as trustee. During the protests a pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democracy and Equality (DEM) Party delegation have been repeatedly blocked, and residents outside the police cordon prevented from joining. Some have been detained, and journalists prevented from filming.
The protests, which began as peaceful demonstrations, turned violent as police used force against protesters, leading to over 200 arrests. “Do not torture people!” DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan shouted at the police during the crackdown.
Van, a stronghold of Kurdish political resistance, had previously forced authorities to reinstate Zeydan after attempts to block his victory in the 31 March elections. Now, the city has become the centre of resistance against Turkey’s trustee policy.
Tensions grew further when DEM Party MP Gülderen Varlı warned of undercover provocateurs. “There are police among us, holding stones and trying to create attacks,” she told the crowd. Video footage showed suspected undercover officers fleeing when confronted, journalist Ruşen Takva reported on Monday.
Footage of police attacking DEM Party MP Newroz Uysal has also drawn widespread outrage. Journalists covering the protests reported facing threats and violence. “Our duty is to document everything we see,” journalist Kadir Cesur stated.
Despite the crackdown, opposition figures have vowed to continue the fight. “We will stay here,” said DEM Party MP Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, calling on Van residents to defend their political will.
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