"This is a pre-arranged plan to remove the HDP from the political arena," Salih Koda, co-chairman of the provincial branch of the HDP in Mardin, told KurdPress about the new round of arrests of the HDP politicians and members.

He added: "The ruling party, in cooperation with the Turkish nationalist extremist movement, has begun arresting members of the HDP, especially former HDP parliamentarians, due to past their political defeats."

Salih Koda had previously told KurdPress that: "The aim of the government through this action is to remove the HDP politically, as well as to appoint its affiliated mayors and appoint its trustees to Kurdish municipalities, which is both illegal and a seizure of power."

"These illegal actions against the HDP are only to weaken and oust the Kurdish party," Saleh Koda told KurdPress, referring to Turkish government's deprivation of citizenship and the imprisonment of HDP parliament members.

Koda further told KurdPress: "The AKP and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) know very well that the only party which can stand against them is the HDP, so they use every means make political activities hard."

He continued: "To date, the party's co-chairs, mayors and a large number of party members have been arrested and imprisoned by the AKP. The AKP's goal is clear, make the HDP to give up politics.”

Asked what the HDP plans to do to win the votes of Kurdish citizens, Mr. Koda explained: "The HDP is not just a Kurdish party. The HDP's goal is not just to liberate one group, but to serve all people in Turkey."

The co-chair of the Kurdish party in Mardin stated: The HDP is a nationwide party and backs democracy and all free beliefs.”

Reporter’s code: 50101