Turkey: Mayor suspended over alleged links to terror

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey

A district mayor in southeastern Diyarbakir province of Turkey from the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party was dismissed over alleged links to an armed terror group, the provincial governor's office said on Saturday.

The HDP is accused by the government of having substantial links to the PKK terror group.

According to the statement, Feyme Filiz Buluttekin, the mayor of Sur district, was temporarily suspended as part of an anti-terror investigation, and the district governor Abdullah Ciftci will assume her post.

It added that Buluttekin’s suspension was based on Article 127 of the constitution regarding the local administration’s role and authority.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.