The Ministry of Interior Affairs on Friday appointed a trustee to the Bahçesaray Municipality in Van province, which was run by a pro-Kurdish Democratic Regions Party (DBP) mayor.
Bahçesaray district governor Serhat Karabektaş was appointed as a trustee to replace Bahçesaray Mayor Mehmet Garip Aykut.
The number of local municipalities that have been taken away from elected mayors in predominantly Kurdish provinces as part of an ongoing crackdown against Kurdish politicians has risen to 82.
Turkey has stepped up political pressure on Kurdish politicians in recent months. In addition to appointment of trustees to the management of dozens of municipalities, Turkey has arrested dozens of Kurdish politicians including 11 pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) members.
