KESK Branches Platform in Ankara made a statement to the press, demanding the release of nine Confederation of Public Workers' Unions (KESK) women members and managers who were taken into custody on February 13th and then arrested within the scope of The Kurdistan Democratic Confederation (KCK) operations.

KESK members came together in front of the Yüksel Street in Ankara at 06:30 pm yesterday and marched shouting "Jin jiyan azadi", "KESK prisoners are our honors" slogans.

Doğan Kaya read the press release there on behalf of KESK Ankara Branches Platform and said that in each period the workers and proletariat raised their voice, they faced repression and arrests.

"Our 15 women managers and members were taken into custody as the consequence of an 'operation' carried out in front of their children's timid gazes full of queries. After they were taken into custody these women tried for a long time to figure out the reasons they were accused for through the questions asked by Chief Public Prosecutor.

It's been two months, however neither our arrested friends nor we could not understand what they are accused for. "

"Have you participated in acts of March 8?"

Kaya mentioned that Chief Public Prosecutor asked union member women taken into custody ordinary questions like "Have you participated in acts of March 8; have you followed the cases of KESK managers and members that are on trial; have you arranged panels on education and health?" ; questions that can be asked any person however he asked them as if he's making an accusation.

KESK President Lami Özgen said that Turkey has been turned into a semi-open prison and they would not pay homage to the government.

"Our friends are taken into custody and punished in advance. We are going to continue our struggle against AKP government. KESK has been the symbol of resistance against the persecution to us."

What had happened?

15 women KESK members were taken into custody in the morning of 13th of February 2012 and after four days, they were questioned at the Ankara 11. High Criminal Court and nine of them were arrested.

The names of KESK women under arrest are as follows:

Çalağan Canan -KESK Secretary of Women, Hatice Beydilli- a member of Eğitim Sen Branch No. 1, Nurşat Yeşil- SES Ankara Branch Secretary of Women, Belkis Yurtsever - the former manager of KESK, Guler Elveren- Bel-Sen Women Secretary, Bedriye Yorgun- SES Women Secretary, Evrim Oğraş- Eğitim Sen Branch No.1 member, Hülya Mendilligil, - SES Ankara Branch Manager, Güldane Erdogan -Eğitim Sen Branch No. 2 Women's Secretary (SK / YY)