Arrested in İstanbul, 3 recycling workers released

"Our resistance is our children's education and our hunger"

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The recycling workers who were detained and arrested as part of the raids on their depots in İstanbul on October 5 have been released.

The workers have been released 'on probation'. The waste paper workers have announced the news on social media:

"We have some good news for you! Kamil Aytar, Ahmet Karınca and Mahmut Uzun, who were arrested because they resisted as 'collecting waste from the streets is not a crime', have been released!

"We will repeat it at every opportunity: Laws are for a livable country and society. Welcome back, friends..."

What happened?

In early October 2021, a series of raids were carried out by the police and district municipal police officers against the depots of waste pickers in İstanbul's Sancaktepe, Ümraniye and Ataşehir districts.

The depots of recycling workers were demolished and damaged by excavators, their hand carts and other equipment were seized. In response to this, workers started resisting; 200 workers were detained.

In the latest intervention, 10 workers were detained. Three of the workers were arrested by the court on October 5, 2021. (HA/SD)