İHD: Siirt Branch Managers Should be Released

A police operation has been launched against political parties and non-governmental organizations; HDP, BDP, İHD and the Mesopotamia Association of Assistance and Solidarity for Families with Lost Relatives (MEYA-DER) in Siirt province in southeastern Turkey. At least nine people were detained:

Human Rights Association (İHD) Zana Aksu, his brother Fırat Aksu, İHD managers Azat Taş and Mirza Ekin, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Siirt Provincial Organization managers Selman Erdemci and Refik Kaçar, Serhat Aksum from Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Central District Manager Kadriye Cengiz  and journalist  Ekrem Tatlı from Siirt Municipality Press Branch. 

İHD stated they had no clear information about the detention and police operation so they were nervous and asked the releasement of Zana Aksu, Azad Taş and Mirza Ekin.

Unlawful practices:

* The police didn’t remind the suspects their statutory rights and didn’t fulfilled their requests for lawyers.

* İHD Siirt Branch was searched without accompanied lawyers.

* Three computer cases, some books and a bag filled with empty gas canisters were taken by the police from the İHD Siirt branch building.

"İHD managers can’t be accused”

İHD indicated:

 "We want to remind that İHD managers can’t be accused based on info and evident acquired from illegal searching and we request immediate releasement of our friends according to the right of personal security and freedom. (HK/BD)

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