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Over the past two days, dozens of Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) members and executives have been detained in Mersin, Hatay, Adana, İzmir, Van and Manisa.
Yesterday (August 14), four members of the party's youth branch were detained in the predominantly Kurdish-populated eastern province of Van.
Party members gathered in front of the party's İpekyolu district office to protest the detentions. Speaking at the event, Şervan Beyazit, a member of the HDP Youth Assembly, said, "Despite all attacks of the government, HDP is the address of the youth. Don't remain silent against attacks targeting our party. Don't remain silent because those who are attacked are Kurds."
In the southern Mersin province, police raided 10 homes early today, detaining eight people. Two people could not be found in their homes.
In Hatay, several homes were raided as part of an investigation launched by the İskenderun Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for "propagandizing for a terrorist organization." The detained people were released after deposing at the security directorate.
In Adana, among 20 people who were detained, 14 have been released and six are still in detention.
A total of 15 people were detained in the western provinces of İzmir and Manisa.
Frequently targeted in "terrorism-related" investigations, the HDP is facing a closure case for its alleged ties to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). (TY/VK)
