10 Associations Face Closure Trial in Van Province

A chief prosecutor has filed closure lawsuits on 10 local associations in Van province, charging them for their linkages with PKK.

Among these associations, women rights advocacy teams, sick inmate solidarity groups and Kurdish language culture centers were listed.  

In the declaration of charges accepted by a local district court this morning, Chief Prosecutor Canip Cihangir charged the aforementioned associations for their linkages with PKK according to secret witness testimonies.

"This is the first time that KCK prosecutions are targeting local associations. It always aimed individuals before," Murat Timur, Van Bar Association Chairperson, said.  

Timur also added that there has been an ambivalence on which association activities were related to PKK linkages.

The court logs disclosed 10 local associations as Mesopotamia Missing Individuals' Family Solidarity Association (MEYA-DER), 
Inmate Families' Democratic Law and Solidarity Association (TUYAD-DER), Immigration Issues Research and Culture Association of Van (Van GÖÇ-DER), Yüzüncü Yıl University Student Association (YÖDER), Van Women Association (VAKAD), Van Hacıbekir Neighborhood Free Citizen Association, Seyit Fehim Arvasi Neighborhood Free Society Association, Yeni Mahalle Free People Association, Kurdish Language Research and Improvement Association (KURDİ-DER) and Akköprü Neighborhood Democratic People Association. (NV/BM)