İbrahim Taşyapan

A court in the eastern province of Van has arrested Van Mayor Bekir Kaya on terror charges. 

Kaya, who was removed from his post by the Interior Ministry and detained on Nov. 17, was arrested for intentionally assisting the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). 

Turkey has appointed mayors to four municipalities in the southeastern and eastern region of the country following operations to detain and arrest the provinces' democratically elected leaders.

Trustees were appointed to the municipalities of the eastern provinces of Van, Siirt and Tunceli and the southeastern province of Mardin early on Nov. 17. 

A total of 53 people were wounded on Sept. 12 when outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants staged a car bomb attack targeting a police checkpoint in the eastern province of Van, on the first day of Islam's holy Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) holiday.

A total of 50 people were wounded on Sept. 12 when outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants staged a car bomb attack targeting a police checkpoint in the eastern province of Van, on the first day of Islam's holy Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) holiday.