IZMIR - While detention operations against Kurds and dissidents have increased in recent days, at least 372 people were detained, at least 108 people were arrested, and 2 people were placed under house arrest in the first 18 days of May. The reasons for the detentions and arrests were the usurpation of will protests in Wan and the May 1 celebrations.

 

While "softening" messages were given by the ruling party after the March 31 Local Elections, in which the People's Alliance (AKP-MHP) suffered a major defeat, on the other hand, the policy of oppression against Kurds and dissidents continues with detentions and arrests. In the first 18 days of May, 372 people were detained and 108 of them were arrested. 49 of those arrested were those who were prevented from entering Taksim Square on May 1, and 37 were those who participated in the protests against the usurpation attempt in Wan.

 

The first house raids were carried out against workers who wanted to march to Taksim and left-socialist parties and institutions. In addition to those detained in the May 1 area, a total of 65 people were detained in the house raids. 38 of 65 people were arrested on charges of "Meetings and demonstrations are against the law", "Propaganda for a terrorist organization" and "Resisting a public official", while the others were released. The second detentions in Istanbul were made against socialist parties and institutions.

 

11 of the 12 people detained during the home raids on May 5 were arrested. Thus, while the number of detainees increased to 49, 2 people were released after objections.

 

37 ARRESTS IN WAN AND IZMIR

 

After Istanbul, Wan was another address for detention operations. 9 people were detained in Colemêrg and Wan on 8 May on the grounds that they were protesting the withdrawal of the legal rights of Abdullah Zeydan, who was elected Co-Mayor of Wan Metropolitan Municipality on 31 March. 7 of the detainees were arrested on charges of "being a member of a terrorist organization" and "making propaganda for a terrorist organization", and 2 people were placed under house arrest. 

Within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Van Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, 55 people were detained in a simultaneous house raid on May 13. 21 of the 55 people detained on allegations of "resisting the police", "being a member of a terrorist organization" and "damaging public property" were arrested, and 34 were released under judicial control. Again, for the same reasons, 16 people were detained in Izmir on May 15. 9 of the detainees were arrested, and 7 were released under judicial control.

 

OTHER DETENTIONS

 

While house raids began from the first days of May, 20 people were detained in Bursa and 2 people in Mêrdîn on May 2. Among those detained, Nesibe Akan, Mahmut Yıldırım, Özgür Zirek and Nurullah Durmaz were arrested on allegations of "being a member of a terrorist organization" and "making propaganda for a terrorist organization". Others were released under judicial control. Cinematographer and documentary-filmmaker Koray Kesik, who was detained in a raid on his house on the night of May 2 in Izmir, was released under judicial control. Again, while 6 people detained in Mersin on May 3 were released, Yoldaş Aba and Sedat Aba, among those detained on April 29, were arrested on the grounds of "being a member of a terrorist organization".

 

26 people who were detained in house raids in Şirnex and Adana on April 30 were referred to the courthouse on May 4. Among the 26 people, E. G. and E. Y. were arrested on charges of "committing a crime on behalf of a terrorist organization" and "possession of dangerous substances without permission or changing hands", while the others were released on condition of judicial control.

 

JOURNALISTS WERE DETAINED

 

On May 6, 8 people were detained in Amed, including journalists Nurcan Yalçın, Derya Us and Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Party Assembly (PM) member Sema Koç. Those detained on allegations of "being a member of a terrorist organization" and "violating the law on preventing the financing of a terrorist organization" were released with judicial control measures. 17 people were detained in Riha (Urfa-Kurdistan) on 7 May and 17 people were detained in Antalya on 18 May. Those detained were released after their statements.

 

At least 20 people, including DEM Party PM member Ünal Yusufoğlu, Marmara Detainee and Convict Families Solidarity Association (MATUHAYDER) executives and many party members, were detained in house raids in Istanbul on May 15. 6 of the 20 people accused of "membership in a terrorist organization" and "making propaganda for a terrorist organization" were arrested, and 14 were released with judicial control measures. On the same day, DEM Party Döşemealtı District Co-Chair Fehmi Karakuş, Ahmet Refik Akarca and Derya Polat were detained in Antalya, and 6 people were detained in Hatay. 9 people taken into custody were released with judicial control measures. On the same day, 16 people were detained in Bedlis and one person was detained in Wan. While one person was arrested, 16 people were released.

 

3 of the 8 people who were detained on May 16 for stealing the Kurdish song "Beritan" from the election vehicle in the Turgutlu district of Manisa during the local elections were arrested, and the others were released. On May 18, 20 young people who wanted to commemorate the revolutionary leaders İbrahim Kaypakkaya, Haki Karer, Ferhat Kurtay, Eşref Anyık, Mahmut Zengin and Necmi Öner, who lost their lives in May, were detained in Istanbul. 4 of the young people detained due to police violence were arrested on the allegation of "resisting the police".

 

THOSE WHO ARE UNDER DETENTION PROCESSES

 

The detention process continues for 68 people detained in house raids by the police in Şirnex, Mêrdîn, Mersin and Colamêrg (Hakkari-Kurdistan), and Birca Belek Language and Culture Association Co-chair Cahit Kilit and artist Umut Reşit Çağlı, who were called to testify and detained in Cizîr.

 

MA / Tolga Güney