Police Detains 19 in Sirnak, Days Before Massacre Anniversary

Şırnak province police swooped on several flats yesterday, detaining 19 individuals in neighboring Sirt, Yarbasi, Telala and Idil under the anti-terror campaign against KCK.

"The government is trying to put pressure on Kurdish people before the first anniversary of Roboski Massacre," Peace and Democracy Party deputy Hasip Kaplan said. "They [police] already arrested most of our elected comrades in Sirnak province center. Now they enlarged the raids to neighboring districts and villages. Two days ago, two of our comrades were detained in Kumcati village. They are trying to silence everyone as if Roboski Massacre was not enough."

According to İdil Yerel newspaper, detainees in Sirt village were identified as Mehmet Ali Keleşoğlu, Abdurrahim Akman, Fadıl Koşmat, Süleyman Koşmat, Baki Balica and Şehmus Gerçin. The identities of remaining detainees are still unknown.

Police sources said detainees were taken to Sirnak for interrogation.

Firat News Agency claimed that officials from police and army forces had a shooting spree next suspects' apartments, killing their pets. Deputy Kaplan confirmed the allegations but expressed hesitation on their truth since he was not present in the scene. (EKN)

Police Detains 19 in Sirnak, Days Before Massacre Anniversary

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