Turkish police on Friday detained dozens of pro-Kurdish party officials and a renowned human rights activist, as prosecutors increase the pressure on the country’s third-largest party, Agence France-Presse reported.
A top public prosecutor on Wednesday demanded the dissolution of the leftist opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) over alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
The move followed the expulsion of an HDP MP from parliament on the same day.
The HDP said at least 36 party members were detained, including 10 in İstanbul among which were three HDP district chairs, over suspected PKK links.
Police were on the hunt for five others, the agency added.
Özturk Türkdoğan, head of the Ankara-based Human Rights Association (IHD), was also detained on Friday in the Turkish capital and his house was raided, the organization said.
“Our lawyers are trying to obtain information about this case. His arrest is a blatant human rights violation. He must be released now,” the IHD tweeted.
Breaking news: Mr Ozturk Turkdogan, İHD president, was arrested by police officers. His house was raided this morning.
Our lawyers try to obtain information about this case.
His arrest is a blatant human rights violation.
He must be released now. pic.twitter.com/FDYx5WjJnC— İHD Genel Merkezi (@ihd_genelmerkez) March 19, 2021