In this regard the Venice Commission takes due note of the fact that in its decisions of 19 August 2019, the Ministry of the Interior declared that the suspension of the three mayors was an interim precautionary measure and that the three trustees were appointed as acting mayors. During the meetings in Ankara representatives of the Ministry indicated that in case the charges of aiding or abetting terrorism and terrorist organisations did not lead to a criminal conviction, the suspended mayors would be reinstated on the basis of article 47, paragraph 3 of the Municipality Law. However, the Venice Commission is concerned that the suspension may de facto well have definitive effects, given the uncertain timescale of the criminal proceedings and given the fact that none of the mayors suspended due to terrorism-related charges since October 2016 has been reinstated to date on that legal basis.