Turkey: 9 city workers detained for alleged terror ties

By Necat Hazar

VAN, Turkey (AA) - Nine city workers in eastern Turkey have been detained over suspected links to the terrorist PKK, the provincial security directorate announced on Wednesday.

Some of the detainees were actively working in senior positions in the Van municipality, said an official statement.

Three of the suspects, recently suspended from their jobs over alleged terror links, were also wanted by the police, the statement said.

The detention came after mayors of three cities in eastern and southeastern Turkey -- Diyarbakir, Mardin and Van -- were suspended on Monday for allegedly supporting terrorism.

The mayors stand accused of crimes such as establishing or spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization or terror group membership.

All mayors are from the opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), a party Turkey's government has accused of having links to the PKK terror group.

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.