Protests against the appointment of a trustee (kayyum) for the Van municipality have continued, with dozens of people arrested by security forces. Some of those detained have been taken to court.

On Saturday, February 15, more than 100 people protested the removal of Abdullah Zeydan from the position of Co-Mayor of Van and the appointment of a trustee in his place, refusing to leave the municipal building.

Van security forces responded by using force and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, seizing the municipal building and arresting over 100 people, including Diyarbakır Co-Mayor Dogan Hatun.

After several hours in security and police stations, Co-Mayor Hatun and most detainees were released, while 30 individuals were sent to court.

Among those arrested and sent to court were journalists covering the events. They are expected to be questioned by the Prosecutor's Office on February 16 and have their case sent to a judge.

According to the North Kurdistan Journalists Association, six journalists were arrested during the protests outside the Van municipality. The association has called on security forces to release them.

Protests are expected to continue in Van on Sunday, February 16, with DEM Party Co-Chairs Tuncer Bakirhan and Tulay Hatimogulları also joining the demonstrations.

On Saturday morning, the Interior Ministry removed Abdullah Zeydan from his position as Van Mayor and replaced him with trustee Ozan Balcı.