JINHA

MÊRDÎN - Turkish police continue to arrest the co-mayors of towns in Northern Kurdistan (in Turkey). Sara Kaya, the female co-mayor of the town of Nusaybin, is among the most recent to be arrested.

Sara was arrested along with Zinnet Alğan, the district co-chair for the Democratic Regions Party (DBP). 91% of the people of Nusaybin voted for Sara in the most recent local election. She spoke in front of the municipal building before police transported her to jail.

"We said that we would serve the people based on the call for self-government and free identity," said Sara. "Unfortunately, the AKP did not tolerate this. But they should know well that we will always stand behind the promise we made to the people."

Municipal workers, citizens and activists gathered at the courthouse when they heard that the co-mayor was being arrested. She hugged her two daughters goodbye as she was taken away. The crowd in front of the courthouse chanted slogans condemning the repression.

Sara and Zinnet are currently jailed on charges of being "members of an illegal organization."

(ekip/fk/cm)