District governor assumes charge as mayor in SE Turkey

By Muhsin Tas

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AA) - A local governor in Turkey’s southeastern Diyarbakir province assumed the office of the mayor of a district after the former mayor was remanded in custody on terrorism charges last week.

Governor of the district of Kulp Mustafa Gozlet replaced Mehmet Fatih Tas from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), which Turkey’s government accuses of having ties with the terrorist PKK organization.

Last Thursday, a roadside bomb attack in Kulp targeted villagers when they were on their way to collect firewood, killing seven of them and injuring 10 others.

The explosion also left a 1.5-meter (5-foot) crater in the ground.

An investigation into the attack found that a vehicle belonging to the Diyarbakir Municipality was at the scene of the crime shortly before the explosion.

Tas and other officials were remanded in custody in connection with the case.

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

*Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur