Turkey arrests Diyarbakir mayors in "terror" probeOctober 26, 2016 - 10:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The two co-mayors of Diyarbakir, the biggest Kurdish-majority city in southeast Turkey, have been arrested as part of a "terrorism" enquiry, security officials said, according to AFP. There was a heavy police presence around the town hall following the arrests of Gultan Kisanak and Firat Anli, who together lead a city that has been rocked by clashes between security forces and members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Dozens of police were surrounding the town hall with light armoured vehicles and trucks loaded with water cannon as officers searched the building, an AFP correspondent said. Kisanak was held at the local airport and Anli at his home, officials told AFP. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly warned that local officials accused of offering logistical help to the PKK -- which Ankara considers a terrorist organisation -- would be prosecuted. The pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) condemned the arrests and called for supporters to join a protest at 0800 GMT Wednesday, October 26. "We condemn the arrests of Gultan Kisanak and Firat Anli. We demand their immediate release," the party said on its Twitter feed. Around 200 people, including HDP lawmakers, gathered near Diyarbakir town hall late Tuesday to protest the arrests. Last month, 24 mayors suspected of links to the PKK were suspended and replaced with officials close to Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). The controversial move sparked fresh clashes, with one of the new administrators shot dead in Van, eastern Turkey, on October 16. More than 40,000 people have been killed since the PKK first took up arms in 1984 demanding an independent state for Kurds. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |