TUNCELI, Turkey – Birsen Orhan, former co-mayor of Tunceli from the DEM Party, has been arrested on charges of violating Turkey’s Law on Meetings and Demonstrations and resisting law enforcement.
Orhan, who had been under house arrest since November 24, was taken into custody again on Friday morning. According to sources within the DEM Party, the arrest follows her involvement in protests sparked by the appointment of a government trustee to Tunceli Municipality on November 22.
Authorities allege that Orhan incited the public to commit crimes during the protests. Initially detained and brought to court, she was released under house arrest but now faces formal detention.
In a statement on social media platform X, the DEM Party criticized the arrest, calling it unlawful. “Birsen Orhan, our Co-Mayor of Dersim, has been arrested for speaking the truth. We echo her words: ‘You will be defeated!’” the post read.
The protests were triggered after Tunceli Mayor Cevdet Konak and Ovacık Mayor Mustafa Sarıgül received prison sentences of six years and three months for alleged membership in the PKK/KCK, a designated terrorist organization. The Interior Ministry subsequently appointed trustees to replace them.
In response to the unrest, the Tunceli Governor’s Office imposed a ban on public gatherings, marches, and press statements in open areas, effective until December 1.
