Crackdown on Kurdish-linked groups continues as 18 detained in house raids

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Eighteen individuals were detained early in the morning during house raids conducted by the police in four cities, Mezopotamya Agency (MA) reported.

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and Green Left (Yeşil Sol) Party members were among the detained in what was the latest example of operations targeting Kurdish-linked groups over the past month. In addition to political party members, the crackdowns also targeted journalists and lawyers.

During a raid in the Artuklu district of Mardin, three siblings named Ramazan, Agit, and Heja Kalkan, as well as two siblings named Hividar and Berivan Taş, were detained in the same house. Fırat Akar and Rojhat Altaş were also detained in the Artuklu district.

Five individuals were detained as part of an investigation initiated by the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the congress of the HDP Youth Council.

In Dargeçit, Mardin, Merve Oğuz and another person whose name could not be learned were detained as part of an investigation initiated by the Mardin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

Meanwhile, the testimonial procedures of 17 individuals detained during house raids conducted in Mardin yesterday as part of a separate investigation are ongoing.

During the raids in İdil, Şırnak, three people, Civan Karaviş, Ümit Geçgel, and Yusuf Kargol, were detained. While the three detained individuals were taken to the İdil Police Directorate, the reason for their detention could not be determined.

Green Left Party officials

In Manisa, western Turkey, members and officials of the Green Left Party were detained during raids conducted in the early hours as part of an investigation led by the Manisa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

During the raids in Saruhanlı district, Gülsüm Tozan, the Saruhanlı District Manager of the Green Left Party, and Ayşe Karagöz, who was a Green Left Party candidate for the Manisa in the parliamentary election on May 14, were detained.

In Yunusemre district, Kardelen Çetin, the daughter of Hasret Çetin, the Co-Spokesperson of the Green Left Party in Manisa, was also detained.

The detained individuals were taken to the Manisa Provincial Police Directorate.

During house raids in Batman, Adnan Vural, Vedat Özer, and Mazlum İtmez were detained. The reasons for the detention of these three individuals, who were taken to the Provincial Police Directorate, could not be learned. (NT/VK)