TURKEY arrested another elected co-mayor of the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) yesterday evening for refusing to issue communications ordered by the state.

Halfeli municipality co-mayor Hasan Safa was removed from his post and detained after refusing to share a message “reassuring people” and asking them to “stay calm” after the dismissal of HDP mayors from four municipalities earlier that day.

Tensions flared after government-appointed trustees took over the administrations of Batman, Silvan, Lice and Ergani, all of which returned HDP mayors with massive majorities in last year’s municipal elections.