Several HDP, Green Left members detained in İstanbul raids

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İstanbul police have conducted raids on homes in several districts, including Başakşehir, Esenyurt, Arnavutköy, and Küçükçekmece, as part of an investigation initiated by the İstanbul Public Prosecutor's Office.

At least 17 people were detained in the raids, including members and executives of the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK), Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Green and Left Future Party (YSP) Youth Council.

Among those detained were Devin Doğa Ayaz, Hülya İlyas, Serkan Şengül, Eylem Taşdemir, Mustafa Şişman, Serhat Tokuş, Arafat Emekçileri, Tufan Emekçileri, Erkan Özmen, Cevdet Biçer, Yunus Aslan, Berfin Koçak, Hividar Özdemir, Ömer Gülsül, Mervan Beyret, Adem Özgen, and Onur İlbars. They were taken to İstanbul police headquarters in the Fatih district.

The suspects' lawyers will not be able to meet their clients for 24 hours and the reason for their detention is not clear due to confidentiality restrictions in the investigation file.

The operation comes amid the ongoing crackdown on Kurdish groups. Last week, more than 130 people, including politicians, lawyers and journalists, were detained in raids across 21 cities in a "terror" investigation.

The HDP and the Green Left have accused the government of intervening in the electoral raids through these raids ahead of the dual polls on May 14.

Facing a closure case over its alleged "terror" ties, the HDP will run in the election under the Green Left. (HA/VK)