Thousands took to the streets on Saturday to protest the dismissal of Van Mayor Bekir Kaya of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) from his post by the Turkish Interior Ministry.

The Ministry of Interior relieved Van Mayor Bekir Kaya of his duties after authorities arrested him as part of the ongoing probe into the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) in the eastern province of Van.

 Interior Minister İdris Naim Şahin approved the decision to relieve Mayor Kaya of his duties despite the fact that his grace period to appeal had not yet expired.

The letter sent to the Van Governor's Office said Mayor Kaya had been arrested on the charge of "membership in an armed organization" by order of a court decision dating to June 10, 2012 and that it would be appropriate to dismiss him.

"It has been decided to relieve Van Mayor Bekir Kaya of his duties as an interim measure based on the authority granted upon the Ministry of Interior in accordance with the fourth sub-clause of the constitution's 127th article and the 47th article of the 5393rd Municipality Law, if deemed suitable," the letter said.