BATMAN - HDP youth set to denounce the destruction in Hasankeyf were attacked by the police. 33 people, including a journalist, were taken into custody.
Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Batman Youth Council members meant to make a press statement in the historict town of Hasankeyf, in Batman province, to protest the Ilısu Dam project that will leave the ancient settlement flooded.
HDP Batman provincial branch co-chairs İkram İrgi and Gülcemal Erdinç and the HDP youth were surrounded by the police and gendarmerie in the area where the press statement was set to be made. The state forces blocked the youth from denouncing the destruction of the town.
HDP youth therewith wanted to make the statement in front of the party building but the police prevented them again, citing “the governor’s decision”.
The young people were then attacked by the police as they insisted to make the statement. 32 demonstrators and journalist sonya Bayık were battered and taken into custody.
Police also obstructed the journalists from covering the incidents.