HUDA Par headquarters issued a statement regarding the state-appointed officials [trustee] to Diyarbakır, Van and Mardin metropolitan municipalities.

"It is not right to seek a solution with unlawful practices," the statement read, adding that the application of appointing trustee procedure in ordinary periods would further damage confidence in the law and the institution of politics.

Earlier Monday, Turkish Interior Ministry said in a written statement that the mayors of Diyarbakır, Van, and Mardin were removed from their posts because of the investigations and replaced with the governors of those provinces.

"It is not 'legal' for an elected person to be replaced by the ministry or the governor's office"

HUDA PAR stressed that the current guardianship was strengthened by an amendment to Municipal Law No. 5395 in 2016, while the central government's guardianship over local authorities is expected to be abolished or at least weakened.

"Being elected does not give anyone the privilege of committing a crime, but the replacement of an elected person, who has been removed from his or her post due to alleged crimes, albeit temporary, by the ministry or the governor's office, is also not legal, the statement said, underlining that even if it was made legal by the amendment in 2016.

ILKHA