TURKEY, — Besides the military operations, political operations have also continued without let up. Kurdish Info reported that while all sections of society, especially intellectuals and academics, regarded the “tents” and “civil disobedience” initiatives of the Kurdish political movement as “legitimate” and demanded that the government take steps in response, detention and arrests continued with no move towards fulfilment of the demands.
At least 338 Kurds were detained and 149 arrested between 6th March and 6th April during the political operations. Below are some of the operations that took place at this time:
- On 16th March, four people charged with “carrying out organizational propaganda” and “damaging public property” at Ortaklar Town of Germencik district in Aydin.
- 70 people detained and 22, nine of them children, arrested in 14 days during assaults on the “Democratic Resolution Tents” erected on 16th March in Kiziltepe and Nusaybin districts in Mardin. Despite the harsh treatment and pressures of the police, thousands of people in Kiziltepe issued a message that their demonstration would continue until their demands are met. On the other hand, the incidents have continued in Nusaybin for 14 days.
- Upon the decision of Batman Regional Court to close down the “democratic resolution tent” for “becoming the centre of the activities of a criminal organization” 56 people, including Salih Aktan Chair of General Council, 29 people during the raid on the tent on 28th March, and four people after the meeting, were detained, a total of 99. BDP Batman MP Bengi Yildiz was dragged on the floor during police intervention. Moreover, Batman Deputy Mayor A. Samet Durak was sentenced to 6 years, 3 months imprisonment at the verdict stage of his trial after he was charged with “being an organization member and committing crimes on its behalf”.
- Seven people, two of them children, were arrested in Suruc district of Urfa on 17th March. On 17th March in Adana, two of the six children have been released and four arrested on a charge of “being an organization member and committing crimes on its behalf” and “damaging public property”.
- Three people were arrested on 18th March in Yuksekova district of Hakkari charged with “being an organization member and committing crimes on its behalf”.
- 17 people were arrested in Viransehir on 21st March. 192 people are subject to investigations.
- During the Newroz celebrations in Corlu on 21st March, 10 people have been detained and six of them arrested for “shouting illegal slogans”.
- Seven students were detained during the tension that took place after the fight between two groups at the Inonu University on 22nd March.
- 14 people, seven of them children, have been arrested in Derik District of Mardin on 22nd March on the allegation of taking part in 15th February incidents.
- One person was arrested in Diyadin district of Agri on 22nd March. Nine people so far have been arrested in Diyadin since 15th February.
- Two of the four people detained on 23rd March due to Newroz celebrations in Semdinli district of Hakkari have been arrested for “being members of organization”.
- Aygul Bidav, member of 2nd peace group who came to Siirt for the march to Newala Qesaba on 28th March, was detained and then sent to Siirt E Type Closed Prison. Bidav was released after giving statement at Malatya 3rd Criminal Court.
- Six of the eight people detained in Dogubeyazit district of Agri on 30th March have been arrested for “being member of organization” and resisting an officer”.
- Six of the 10 people detained during the house raids in Ercis district of Van have been arrested.
- 75 BDP members detained and 43 arrested throughout March in Urfa. 75 BDP members, who participated in press conferences and demonstrations in Urfa and its districts, were detained in the last month. 43 of these people have been arrested on the allegation of “being organization members”, carrying out organizational propaganda” and “contravention of the law of meeting and demonstrations number 2911”. One thousand and 100 people are subject to investigations.
- Two people arrested in Bingol during the house raids on 31st March.
- 11 people arrested in Silopi district of Sirnak for taking part in Newroz celebrations on 22nd March.
- Nine municipal workers, including deputy mayors, have been arrested in Igdir on 1st April.