Karayazı District Mayor Replaced with Trustee After Her Arrest

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Melike Göksu from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has been dismissed as the mayor of Karayazı district in the eastern province of Erzurum. District Governor Mesut Tabakçıoğlu has been appointed to the municipality as a trustee.

Göksu was arrested yesterday (September 17) with seven other people, including municipal council members.

Göksu was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison for "membership of a terrorist organization" by Erzurum 2nd Heavy Penal Court. The sentence was approved by the Supreme Court of Appeals.

Governorship of Erzurum said in a statement that Göksu has been dismissed from her post "as a temporary measure" after the approval of her sentence upon an order by the Ministry of Interior. The District Governor was appointed as the deputy mayor, according to the Law on Municipalities, it added (HA/VK)