Eighty-eight people were arrested over the weekend in operations carried out against the Kurdish Communities Union (KCK), an umbrella group that allegedly encompasses the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its affiliated organizations, Today’s Zaman reported.
Police increased their operations against the KCK's youth branches and arrested 20 suspects believed to be members of the KCK's youth branch in the southeastern province of Şırnak on Saturday, December 17.
According to a statement by the Şırnak Governor's Office, the Şırnak Police Department's Counterterrorism Units are operating against the terrorist PKK and KCK in the cities, and police arrested 20 people in operations against the KCK's Democratic Patriotic Youth Council (DYGM) on Saturday. Suspects were allegedly involved in attacks against the police, throwing stones and Molotov cocktails and for participating and organizing illegal demonstrations. Additionally, police seized material used to make Molotov cocktails.
Another police operation took place in Kurtalan, Siirt province, on Saturday, where 20 people were arrested, including Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) officials from the Kurtalan municipality.
Furthermore, a written statement made by the Batman Governor's Office stated that 48 people were arrested when the Batman Prosecutor's Office requested an operation targeting a group of people who were allegedly aiding and abating the terrorist organizations.
Police have recently stepped up operations against the KCK. The KCK investigation started in December 2009, and a large number of Kurdish politicians, including several officials from the BDP, have been detained in the case.
The suspects stand accused of various crimes, including membership in a terrorist organization, aiding and abetting a terrorist organization and attempting to destroy the country's unity and integrity. The detainees include mayors and municipal officials from the BDP, which has said the investigation is the government's way of suppressing its politicians, denying any links between the suspects and terrorist organizations.
Among the most recent detainees are publisher Ragıp Zarakolu and constitutional law professor Büşra Ersanlı, who both taught classes at the BDP's Politics Academy – a training workshop for young party members. Their detention and subsequent arrest sparked outrage from the BDP, as well as civil society groups.
