12-23 August 2016 Daily Human Rights Report
(08/050) Massacre in Gaziantep…
A suicide bomb attack was organised against a wedding on 20 August 2016 in Gaziantep. The attack was allegedly organised by IS/ISIS and the unidentified attacker was announced to be a child. 54 persons including 29 children were killed and 67 persons were wounded during the attack.
The names of 44 persons who were killed were announced as follows:
Şükran Akdoğan (17), İsmail Alpaslan (14), Süheyla Yağız (32), Mehmet Nazım Akdoğan (13), Ali Özcan (26), Serhat Eryılmaz (13), Büşra İlter (9), Muhammet Alpaslan (11), Muhyettin Akdoğan (26), Doğan Özcan (22), Nergiz Özcan (10), Kerem Özer (12), Orhan Yavuz (13), Aliye Yağız (30), Ali Toraman (11), Bünyamin Akdoğan (11), Mehmet Ali Taş (23), Abdulalim Çelikten (14), Metin Caner (16), Mürvet Ayhan (28), Vesile Uluhatun (38), Şükran Ayhan (11), Semanur Özer (14), Mehmet Urtekin (14), Mizgin Gürbüz (14), Murat Kalay (14), Kamile Ayhan (35), Emine Nisa Gören (9), Salih İlter (15), Saliha Akdoğan (21), Gurbet Akcan (4), Muhammet Yağız (4), Devran Eryılmaz (12), İbrahim Urtekin (16), Osman Toroman (21), Ahmet Urtekin (22), Kamil Akdoğan (23), Hasan Akdoğan (11), Öbeyit Akdoğan (28), Sinan Urtekin (14), Süleyman Durak (22), Hakkı Okur (14), Fatma Zehra Abdullah (11) and Syrian Hüsam Cuma (7).
The crime scene investigation revealed that the bomb used during suicidal bomb attack was similar to the ones used during Ankara Massacre attack and Suruç Massacre attack by IS/ISIS.
(08/051) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…
Regional bureau of traffic registration and supervision was attacked on 15 August 2016 with a bomb vehicle nearby Çınar district of Diyarbakır. 5 police officers and 3 civilians including a child were killed, 7 police officers and 37 civilians were wounded during the explosion.
9 militants were reportedly killed during an armed clash that broke out on 1 August 2016 in Serero hamlet of Şemdinli district in Hakkari.
4 militants were reportedly killed during the operations conducted on 9 August 2016 in Munzur Valley in Ovacık district of Tunceli.
7 alleged HPG militants and 4 police officers were killed during the armed clashes on 12 August 2016 in Selahaddin Eyyubi quarter of Nusaybin district in Mardin. Despite the military operations were concluded in Nusaybin, curfew was still imposed in 6 quarters of the district. According to the news appeared in the press, a woman who was detained following the clash was allegedly disappeared.
HPG militants closed a road on 12 August 2016 in Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak and abducted Justice and Development Party (AKP) youth branch Chair for Beytüşşebap district Naci Adıyaman and his brother Fikret Adıyaman. The body of Naci Adıyaman was found in the region.
Fikret Adıyaman was released on 14 August 2016 and HPG announced that Naci Adıyaman was caught between two fires during an armed clash and killed.
1 temporary village guard was killed 2 temporary village guards were wounded when a group of temporary village guards were opened fire during night watch on 14 August 2016 nearby Oğulveren village of Başkale district in Van.
3 soldiers were wounded when Tepeşin Military Base was attacked on 14 August 2016 in Çukurca district of Hakkari.
3 police officers were wounded when an armoured police vehicle was opened fire on 14 August 2016 in Hizan district of Bitlis.
3 soldiers were wounded when a land mine exploded during the passage of a military vehicle on 15 August 2016 in Silopi district of Şırnak.
1 militant was allegedly killed during an armed clash on 13 August 2016 nearby Yumurcak village of Kızıltepe district in Mardin.
2 militant were reportedly killed during an armed clash on 7 August 2016 in Gare region of Şemdinli district in Hakkari.
5 militants were reportedly killed during air strikes on 11 August 2016 against mountains nearby Oğul and Ağaçdibi villages of Hakkari.
According to the news appeared in the press on 11 August 2016, 2 militants were killed during the operations conducted in the rural area of Lice district in Diyarbakır.
1 militant was reportedly killed and 1 militant was wounded during an armed clash on 17 August 2016 in Şırnak where the military operations were concluded but curfew was still on-going.
5 soldiers and 1 temporary village guard were killed, 5 soldier were wounded when a bomb exploded on 18 August 2016 during the passage of a military vehicle in the rural area of Hizan district in Bitlis.
2 police officers were wounded when Security Directorate of Şemdinli district was attacked on 18 August 2016 in Hakkari.
1 militant was killed and 1 militant was wounded when an armed clash broke out during a house rad on 18 August 2016 in Mardin.
5 police officers were killed, 85 police officers and 132 civilians were wounded when Security Directorate in Elazığ was attacked on 18 August 2016 with a bomb vehicle.
2 police officers and the children Faruk Tam (13) and Dilek İdrak (17) were killed, 19 police officers and 52 civilians were wounded when 2 Nisan police station and police houses were attacked with a bomb vehicle on 17 August 2016 in İpekyolu district of Van.
1 solider and 2 militants were killed, 3 police officers were wounded when Security Directorate, Gendarmerie Command and Sub-Governor’s Office were attacked simultaneously on 22 August 2016 in Nazımiye district of Tunceli. Sub-Governorate imposed curfew in the district following the attacks.
Governorate of Hakkari imposed curfew between 18 August and 21 August 2016 in Altınsu village of Şemdinli district on the grounds of “military operations to be conducted in the region”.
According to the news appeared in the press on 19 August 2016, 2 militants were killed during an armed clash that broke out on 19 August 2016 in the rural area of Çukurca district in Hakkari.
1 militant was reportedly killed and 3 soldiers were wounded during an armed clash on 19 August 2016 on Sinek highland in Ağrı.
2 militants were allegedly killed during an armed clash on 22 August 2016 nearby Ovacık district of Tunceli.
1 temporary village guard was killed and 1 temporary village guard was wounded during an armed clash that broke out on 23 August 2016 in the rural area of Karlıova district in Bingöl.
Governorate of Mardin imposed curfew starting from 21 August 2016 in 8 villages of Savur district on the grounds of “military operations to be conducted in the region”.
3 soldiers were wounded when a bomb exploded on 23 August 2016 during the passage of a military vehicle nearby Yeşilova Gendarmerie Station in Şemdinli district of Hakkari.
(08/052) Stop Warning…
The woman with the first name Reyhan was killed, İrfan Karaman and Hacı İrfan were heavily wounded when soldiers opened fire against a vehicle on 21 August 2016 in front of Yolalan Gendarmerie Station in Tatik district of Bitlis on the grounds that the driver did not obey the stop warning.
(08/053) Hate Crime in İstanbul…
Transsexual woman Hande Kader who was missing for the last one week in İstanbul was found dead on 12 August 2016 in Zekeriyaköy district. The body of Hande Kader was set to fire.
(08/054) Explosion in Mardin…
6 persons including 4 children were wounded when an object a child found exploded on 16 August 2016 on Midyat-Nusaybin road in Nusaybin district of Mardin.
(08/055) Persons Killed and Buried during Curfews…
The body of YPS member Davut Yardımcı who was killed during the operations and curfew in Yüksekova district of Hakkari and buried in Erzurum was identified after DNA tests. His body was taken by his family on 16 August 2016.
(08/056) Hrant Dink Investigation…
4 military personal including former Gendarmerie Commander for Trabzon province Colonel Ali Öz who were detained in connection with investigation concerning the killing of Hrant Dink were arrested on 15 August 2016.
Colonel Ali Barış Sevindik was also arrested on 12 August 2016 in connection with the investigation.
(08/057) Nihat Kazanhan Case…
Cizre (Şırnak) Heavy Penal Court No 1 continued on 12 August 2016 to hear the case launched in connection with the killing of Nihat Kazanhan (12) by the police on 14 January 2014 in Cizre district of Şırnak.
The remanded defendant police officer Mehmet Emin Arslan and eyewitnesses testified at the hearing. The court rejected the demand for the arrest of the defendant police officers U.İ., H.V., O.Ç. and G.T. and adjourned the hearing to 23 September 2016.
The indictment wants the defendants U.İ., H.V., and Mehmet Emin Arslan to be sentenced for “intentional killing”, the defendants O.Ç. and G.T for “not reporting a crime”.
(08/058) Hrant Dink Case…
Çağlayan (İstanbul) Heavy Penal Court No 14 continued on 12 August 2016 to hear the case against 37 persons including 5 remanded defendants in connection with the killing of Hrant Dink. The hearing continued for 5 days.
After the testimonies of the present defendants, the court rejected demand of the remanded defendants to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to 26 September 2016.
(08/059) Disappearance in Custody Allegations in İstanbul…
The family of the teacher Recep Demirtaş announced with a press conference on 17 August 2016 that Recep Demirtaş was detained during a house raid on 9 August 2016 in Esenyurt district of İstanbul and he disappeared since then.
His brother Fatih Demirtaş stressed during the press conference in the premises of İstanbul branch of Human Rights Association (HRA) that the detention of Recep Demirtaş was not registered in any prison or police station in İstanbul. The family was replied by the authorities that “they did not have any information”. The family will also make an official complaint with the Public Prosecutor in İstanbul for a possible abduction. Fatih Demirtaş also stressed that a police officer from Esenyurt Police Station said: “Your brother was detained by the police officers from our station. He is being interrogated by Anti-Terror branch.”
(08/060) Disappearance in Custody Allegations in Şanlıurfa…
According to the news appeared in the press on 18 August 2016, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair for Ceylanpınar district of Şanlıurfa province Fethullah Fidan disappeared after being detained during a house raid on 15 August 2016.
Although the blooded shirt of Fethullah Fidan was left in the garden of the house, his family announced that the officials denied the detention.
(08/061) Torture and Ill-treatment in Custody in İstanbul…
6 persons who were detained during a police intervention against a public stamen by Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) on 9 August 2016 in Ümraniye district of İstanbul were subjected to torture in custody according to the forensic reports.
The medical report certified “ecchymosed eyes, bruises and traces on the body and aching testicles”.
(08/062) Pressures in Prisons…
According to the news appeared in the press on 18 August 2016, 15 prisoners incarcerated in Siirt E-type Prison were transferred to other prisons on the grounds of “unavailable space”.
(08/063) Daily Özgür Gündem Closed…
Penal Court of Peace Judge No 8 on duty ordered on 16 August 2016 closure of daily Özgür Gündem for one month upon demand of İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Press Office. The decision was taken under the Article 28 of the Constitution and on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
Following the closure decision, the offices of the paper in İstanbul and the houses of the writers and editors of the paper were raided by the police.
During the raid of the Özgür Gündem office in İstanbul, 23 journalists were detained under beatings.
Novelist Aslı Erdoğan, columnist with the Özgür Gündem, who was detained on 17 August 2016 was arrested on 21 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation” and making propaganda of an illegal organisation”. Executive editor of the paper Zana Kaya and editor-in-chief İnan Kızılkaya were also arrested on 22 August 2016 for the same reasons.
(08/064) Detentions and Arrests in connection with the Coup d’État Attempt…
Ayşenur Parıldak, correspondent with the daily Zaman, who was detained in Ankara was arrested on 11 August 2016.
Arda Akın, correspondent with the daily Hürriyet, was recently detained in İstanbul and released was arrested on 15 August 2016.
Ali Ünal, editorial writer with the daily Zaman, who was detained in Uşak was arrested on 16 August 2016.
(08/065) Journalist Detained in İstanbul…
Photo-journalist Tuğba Tekerek was detained on 21 August 2016 in İstanbul when she was taking photographs.
(08/066) Journalists on Trial in Mardin…
Mardin Heavy Penal Court No 2 continued on 18 August 2016 to hear the case against Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Meltem Oktay who was arrested on 14 April 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin and another DİHA correspondent Uğur Akgül who was released after being detained along with Meltem Oktay.
The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “being member of an illegal organisation”. After the defence as to the accusations, the court decided to release Meltem Oktay to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to a later date.
(08/067) Protest Intervened in Eskişehir…
The police intervened the members of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) who wanted to stage a demonstration on 18 August 2016 in Eskşehir to protest in the closure of the daily Özgür Gündem. 11 persons including HDP Co-Chair for Eskişehir province Ahmet Uluçelebi were detained during the intervention.
(08/068) Demonstrations Banned…
All demonstrations and meetings were banned in several provinces on the anniversary of PKK’s first armed action on 15 August 1984.
Governorate of Batman announced that all demonstrations and meetings were banned from 15 August 2016 to 18 August 2016. Sub-Governorate of Silvan district of Diyarbakır also made a similar announcement on 14 August.
Governorate of Van banned the activities between 13 and 16 August 2016 and Governorate of Siirt between 14 and 16 August 2016.
Governorate of Diyarbakır announced that all demonstrations and meetings were banned starting from 15 August 2016.
(08/069) Persons on Trial in Ağrı…
Ağrı Heavy Penal Court continued on 15 August 2016 to hear the case against 29 executives and members of Democratic Regions Party (DBP) who were arrested after the raid of DBP premises in March 2016 in Ağrı.
The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “being member of an illegal organisation”. The defendants testified at the hearing through SEGBİS teleconference system. The court decided to release the defendant Fecri Yakut on TL 10,000 bail and adjourned the hearing to 29 August 2016.
(08/070) Persons on Trial in Malatya…
Malatya Heavy Penal Court No 2 continued on 16 August 2016 to hear the case against 15 students including 6 remanded defendants launched on charges of “being member of an illegal organisation”. The case was launched after the house raids conducted on 2 February in Malatya.
Following the testimonies of the defendants, the court decided to release 4 students to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to 4 October 2016.
(08/071) Political Party Premises Attacked…
A group of ultra-nationalists attacked the premises of Peoples’ Democratic Party in Elazığ following the attack of PKK against Security Directorate on 18 August 2016. The attackers forcibly entered the premises and damaged the properties in the premises. The attackers left after putting up a Turkish flag in the premises.
(08/072) Detentions and Arrests…
Security Forces conducted operations against the mayors from Democratic Regions Party (DBP) in several provinces. Co-Mayor of dil district in Şırnak province Nevin Oyman Girasun and Co-Mayor of Kulp district in Diyarbakır province were detained during house raids on 16 August 2016.
DBP Co-Chair for Kulp district Fatih Taş and Tamer Eren were also detained during the raids in Kulp.
13 persons including Co-Mayor of Ergani district in Diyarbakır province Gülistan Polat were detained during the operations on 13 August 2016.
The police conducted operations on 15 August 2016 against the United Revolutionary Party (Birleşik Devrimci Parti) in Mersin. 18 mebers and/or supporters of United Revolutionary Party were detained during the house raids.
14 detainees were arrested on 20 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of the illegal Turkey Northern Kurdistan Liberation Organisation (Türkiye Kuzey Kürdistan Kurtuluş Örgütü – TKKKÖ)” which dissolved 40 year ago.
The police conducted house raids on 14 August 2016 in Tuzluçayır quarter of Mamak district in Ankara and detained 11 persons including Etkin News Agency (ETHA) correspondent Fatma Edemen.
Former DBP Co-Chair for Tunceli province Ergin Doğru and Former Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair for Ovacık district Haşim Özdemir who were detained during house raids conducted in Tunceli were arrested on 15 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
The police conducted house raids on 15 August 2016 against the houses of HDP members in Aydın and detained 31 persons.
Former HDP Co-Chair for Söke district Hamit Ergül and Former Co-Mayor of Savuca town Ahmet Ölçer who were among detainees were arrested on 17 August 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
4 activists of HDP were also detained on 17 August 2016 in İzmir.
The soldiers conducted house raids on 15 August 2016 in Keklikpınar village of Ağrı. Azer Demir (18) and Orhan Özden (19) were detained on the allegations of “aiding an illegal organisation”.
11 persons were detained during house raids on 12 August 2016 in Bismil district of Diyarbakır. 4 persons in Çermik district, 1 person in Bağlar district, 17 persons in Silvan district and 7 persons in Lice district were also detained during the operations.
Mehmet Albay who was detained in Bismil and 5 persons who were detained in Silvan were detained on 18 August 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation.”
The police conducted house raids on 14 August 2016 in Gazi quarter of Sultangazi district in İstanbul and detained 9 persons.
Security Forces detained Erdal Canan on 14 August 2016 on Özgürlük Square in Yüksekova district of Hakkari. Municipality Assembly member Samet Teker was also detained on the same day in bus terminal.
24 persons were detained in Bitlis and its districts during the road controls and house raids on 13 and 14 August 2016.
The police conducted house raids on 13 August 2016 in Dörtyol and Erzin districts of Hatay and detained at least 15 persons including HDP co-chairs for the districts.
10 persons in Adana and 1 person in Xaçort quarter of İpekyolu district in Van were also detained on 13 Augsut 2016.
MEYA-DER (solidarity association for people who lost their relatives in Mesopotamia) Co-Chair for Van brach Neriman Urar and DBP executive for Özalp district in Van province Özlem Özbey who were detained during the operations were arrested on 13 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
Security Forces conducted operations on 13 August 2016 in İzmir, Erzurum, İstanbul, Şırnak, Mersin, Diyarbakır, Hakkari, Gaziantep, Siirt, Mardin provinces and detained 108 persons. .
Kurdish Language Research and Development Association (Amed Kürt Dili Araştırma ve Geliştirme Derneği – KURDÎ-DER) Co-Chair for İzmir branch Ali Yalçınkaya, Prisoners’ Families Solidarity Association TAYDER Co-Chir for İzmir branch Musa Karbadağ, Sait Bahadır, Mehmet Özan, Ümit Fatma Fırat, İzzetin Akın, Hakan Arslan, Hatip Bilen, Semih Ersönmez, Sedat Mihayaz, Rizgar Gaçkçen, Özgür Dilek and Abdulbarin Baran who were detained in İzmir were arrested on 20 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
The police conducted house raids on 15 August 2016 in Ceylanpınar district of Şanlıurfa and detained 8 persons.
Peace Group (Barış Grubu) member Mehmet Adanmış and handicapped Mehmet Sıdık Timurtaş who were detained 30 July 2016 in Siirt were arrested on 12 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
Diyarbakır Peace Mothers Assembly (Barış Anneleri Meclisi) member Dılşah Özgen (83) was detained on 12 August 2016 when she went to Diyarbakır Court House to testify in connection with an investigation. Dılşah Özgen was reportedly taken to Kocaköy Gendarmerie Command.
Municipality Assembly member Müjde Bozan who was detained on 1 August 2016 in Siirt was arrested on 11 August 2016 on the allegations of “adding an illegal organisation”.
The police conducted house raids on 16 August 2016 in Muş and detained 3 persons.
Former HDP Co-Cahir for Siirt province Ebedin Yiğit and Solidarity with Rojava Association (Rojava Yardımlaşma ve Dayanışma Derneği) former Chairperson Mehmetşah Uçar who were among detainees were arrested on 21 August 2016.
The police conducted operations on 16 August 2016 in Bitlis and detained 6 persons. 2 children who were among 20 children detained in Adana were arrested on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
6 persons were detained on 16 August 2016 in Cizre and İdil districts of Şırnak.
The police conducted house raids on 15 August against the houses of HDP members in Aydın and detained 31 persons. 7 detainees were arrested.
Süleyman Baytar and Velat Özdemir who were among 8 students detained in Antalya on 4 August 2016 were arrested after 14 days on 17 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
Murat Candan, Zeynel Ergin, Murat Gülbahar, Kenan Gülbahar and Cüneyt Cici Karakoçan who were detained during house raids in Yayladere district of Bingöl were arrested on 17 August 2016 on the allegations of “aiding an illegal organisation”.
5 persons who were detained in Ceylanpınar district of Şanlıurfa 18 days ago were arrested on 17 August 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
Denge TV correspondent Yusuf İba was detained on 17 August 2016 in Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı.
Deputy Mayor of Lice district of Diyarbakır province Kadir Bayram was detained during a road control on 17 August 2016.
Peace Mothers Assembly (Barış Anneleri Meclisi) members Asuman Külter, Mehmet Bağru, İbrahim Özmen, Cemal Ediz and Agit Başaran who were detained during house raids in Silopi district of Şırnak were arrested on 17 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
During operations and house raids conducted on 18 August 2016, 5 persons in Avgamasya village of Şırnak, 4 persons in Cizre district of Şırnak, HDP Co-Chair for Hatay Şükran Dağ Cabir in İskenderun district of Hatay, HDP executive for central district in Osmaniye province Celal Eker were detained.
5 persons who were among 6 persons detained in Siirt 15 days ago were arrested on the allegations of “aiding an illegal organisation”.3 persons were also detained in Solhan district of Bingöl.
DBP Co-Chair for Malazgirt district of Muş province Murat Kızıltaş who was among 7 persons detained during house raids was arrested on 23 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
6 persons who were detained while coming back from highlands to Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı were arrested on 18 August 2016 on the allegations of “aiding an illegal organisation”.
6 persons who were detained in Karayazı district of Erzurum were arrested on 21 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
2 militants were killed during an armed clash that broke out on 21 August 2016 nearby Xendekan hamlet of Tekman district in Erzurum.
12 persons who were among 14 persons detained for singing Kurdish songs in a public park in Esenyurt district of İstanbul were arrested on 21 August 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
Necat Yüzkan, Mehmet Kızmaz and Recep Gündüz who were among 7 persons detained on 13 August 2016 in Silvan district of Diyarbakır were arrested on 20 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
The police conducted operations on 20 August 2016 against the houses of DBP and HDP members in Şanlıurfa province and detained 49 persons.
The police raided on 20 August 2016 the premises of HDP in Maltepe district of İstanbul and detained Yusuf Bozkurt, Ceyhun Dursun, Ersin Kaya and Gamze Poyraz.13 persons were also detained during the house raids in Beyoğlu and Kâğıthane districts.
12-23 August 2016 Daily Human Rights Report
(08/050) Massacre in Gaziantep…
A suicide bomb attack was organised against a wedding on 20 August 2016 in Gaziantep. The attack was allegedly organised by IS/ISIS and the unidentified attacker was announced to be a child. 54 persons including 29 children were killed and 67 persons were wounded during the attack.
The names of 44 persons who were killed were announced as follows:
Şükran Akdoğan (17), İsmail Alpaslan (14), Süheyla Yağız (32), Mehmet Nazım Akdoğan (13), Ali Özcan (26), Serhat Eryılmaz (13), Büşra İlter (9), Muhammet Alpaslan (11), Muhyettin Akdoğan (26), Doğan Özcan (22), Nergiz Özcan (10), Kerem Özer (12), Orhan Yavuz (13), Aliye Yağız (30), Ali Toraman (11), Bünyamin Akdoğan (11), Mehmet Ali Taş (23), Abdulalim Çelikten (14), Metin Caner (16), Mürvet Ayhan (28), Vesile Uluhatun (38), Şükran Ayhan (11), Semanur Özer (14), Mehmet Urtekin (14), Mizgin Gürbüz (14), Murat Kalay (14), Kamile Ayhan (35), Emine Nisa Gören (9), Salih İlter (15), Saliha Akdoğan (21), Gurbet Akcan (4), Muhammet Yağız (4), Devran Eryılmaz (12), İbrahim Urtekin (16), Osman Toroman (21), Ahmet Urtekin (22), Kamil Akdoğan (23), Hasan Akdoğan (11), Öbeyit Akdoğan (28), Sinan Urtekin (14), Süleyman Durak (22), Hakkı Okur (14), Fatma Zehra Abdullah (11) and Syrian Hüsam Cuma (7).
The crime scene investigation revealed that the bomb used during suicidal bomb attack was similar to the ones used during Ankara Massacre attack and Suruç Massacre attack by IS/ISIS.
(08/051) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…
Regional bureau of traffic registration and supervision was attacked on 15 August 2016 with a bomb vehicle nearby Çınar district of Diyarbakır. 5 police officers and 3 civilians including a child were killed, 7 police officers and 37 civilians were wounded during the explosion.
9 militants were reportedly killed during an armed clash that broke out on 1 August 2016 in Serero hamlet of Şemdinli district in Hakkari.
4 militants were reportedly killed during the operations conducted on 9 August 2016 in Munzur Valley in Ovacık district of Tunceli.
7 alleged HPG militants and 4 police officers were killed during the armed clashes on 12 August 2016 in Selahaddin Eyyubi quarter of Nusaybin district in Mardin. Despite the military operations were concluded in Nusaybin, curfew was still imposed in 6 quarters of the district. According to the news appeared in the press, a woman who was detained following the clash was allegedly disappeared.
HPG militants closed a road on 12 August 2016 in Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak and abducted Justice and Development Party (AKP) youth branch Chair for Beytüşşebap district Naci Adıyaman and his brother Fikret Adıyaman. The body of Naci Adıyaman was found in the region.
Fikret Adıyaman was released on 14 August 2016 and HPG announced that Naci Adıyaman was caught between two fires during an armed clash and killed.
1 temporary village guard was killed 2 temporary village guards were wounded when a group of temporary village guards were opened fire during night watch on 14 August 2016 nearby Oğulveren village of Başkale district in Van.
3 soldiers were wounded when Tepeşin Military Base was attacked on 14 August 2016 in Çukurca district of Hakkari.
3 police officers were wounded when an armoured police vehicle was opened fire on 14 August 2016 in Hizan district of Bitlis.
3 soldiers were wounded when a land mine exploded during the passage of a military vehicle on 15 August 2016 in Silopi district of Şırnak.
1 militant was allegedly killed during an armed clash on 13 August 2016 nearby Yumurcak village of Kızıltepe district in Mardin.
2 militant were reportedly killed during an armed clash on 7 August 2016 in Gare region of Şemdinli district in Hakkari.
5 militants were reportedly killed during air strikes on 11 August 2016 against mountains nearby Oğul and Ağaçdibi villages of Hakkari.
According to the news appeared in the press on 11 August 2016, 2 militants were killed during the operations conducted in the rural area of Lice district in Diyarbakır.
1 militant was reportedly killed and 1 militant was wounded during an armed clash on 17 August 2016 in Şırnak where the military operations were concluded but curfew was still on-going.
5 soldiers and 1 temporary village guard were killed, 5 soldier were wounded when a bomb exploded on 18 August 2016 during the passage of a military vehicle in the rural area of Hizan district in Bitlis.
2 police officers were wounded when Security Directorate of Şemdinli district was attacked on 18 August 2016 in Hakkari.
1 militant was killed and 1 militant was wounded when an armed clash broke out during a house rad on 18 August 2016 in Mardin.
5 police officers were killed, 85 police officers and 132 civilians were wounded when Security Directorate in Elazığ was attacked on 18 August 2016 with a bomb vehicle.
2 police officers and the children Faruk Tam (13) and Dilek İdrak (17) were killed, 19 police officers and 52 civilians were wounded when 2 Nisan police station and police houses were attacked with a bomb vehicle on 17 August 2016 in İpekyolu district of Van.
1 solider and 2 militants were killed, 3 police officers were wounded when Security Directorate, Gendarmerie Command and Sub-Governor’s Office were attacked simultaneously on 22 August 2016 in Nazımiye district of Tunceli. Sub-Governorate imposed curfew in the district following the attacks.
Governorate of Hakkari imposed curfew between 18 August and 21 August 2016 in Altınsu village of Şemdinli district on the grounds of “military operations to be conducted in the region”.
According to the news appeared in the press on 19 August 2016, 2 militants were killed during an armed clash that broke out on 19 August 2016 in the rural area of Çukurca district in Hakkari.
1 militant was reportedly killed and 3 soldiers were wounded during an armed clash on 19 August 2016 on Sinek highland in Ağrı.
2 militants were allegedly killed during an armed clash on 22 August 2016 nearby Ovacık district of Tunceli.
1 temporary village guard was killed and 1 temporary village guard was wounded during an armed clash that broke out on 23 August 2016 in the rural area of Karlıova district in Bingöl.
Governorate of Mardin imposed curfew starting from 21 August 2016 in 8 villages of Savur district on the grounds of “military operations to be conducted in the region”.
3 soldiers were wounded when a bomb exploded on 23 August 2016 during the passage of a military vehicle nearby Yeşilova Gendarmerie Station in Şemdinli district of Hakkari.
(08/052) Stop Warning…
The woman with the first name Reyhan was killed, İrfan Karaman and Hacı İrfan were heavily wounded when soldiers opened fire against a vehicle on 21 August 2016 in front of Yolalan Gendarmerie Station in Tatik district of Bitlis on the grounds that the driver did not obey the stop warning.
(08/053) Hate Crime in İstanbul…
Transsexual woman Hande Kader who was missing for the last one week in İstanbul was found dead on 12 August 2016 in Zekeriyaköy district. The body of Hande Kader was set to fire.
(08/054) Explosion in Mardin…
6 persons including 4 children were wounded when an object a child found exploded on 16 August 2016 on Midyat-Nusaybin road in Nusaybin district of Mardin.
(08/055) Persons Killed and Buried during Curfews…
The body of YPS member Davut Yardımcı who was killed during the operations and curfew in Yüksekova district of Hakkari and buried in Erzurum was identified after DNA tests. His body was taken by his family on 16 August 2016.
(08/056) Hrant Dink Investigation…
4 military personal including former Gendarmerie Commander for Trabzon province Colonel Ali Öz who were detained in connection with investigation concerning the killing of Hrant Dink were arrested on 15 August 2016.
Colonel Ali Barış Sevindik was also arrested on 12 August 2016 in connection with the investigation.
(08/057) Nihat Kazanhan Case…
Cizre (Şırnak) Heavy Penal Court No 1 continued on 12 August 2016 to hear the case launched in connection with the killing of Nihat Kazanhan (12) by the police on 14 January 2014 in Cizre district of Şırnak.
The remanded defendant police officer Mehmet Emin Arslan and eyewitnesses testified at the hearing. The court rejected the demand for the arrest of the defendant police officers U.İ., H.V., O.Ç. and G.T. and adjourned the hearing to 23 September 2016.
The indictment wants the defendants U.İ., H.V., and Mehmet Emin Arslan to be sentenced for “intentional killing”, the defendants O.Ç. and G.T for “not reporting a crime”.
(08/058) Hrant Dink Case…
Çağlayan (İstanbul) Heavy Penal Court No 14 continued on 12 August 2016 to hear the case against 37 persons including 5 remanded defendants in connection with the killing of Hrant Dink. The hearing continued for 5 days.
After the testimonies of the present defendants, the court rejected demand of the remanded defendants to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to 26 September 2016.
(08/059) Disappearance in Custody Allegations in İstanbul…
The family of the teacher Recep Demirtaş announced with a press conference on 17 August 2016 that Recep Demirtaş was detained during a house raid on 9 August 2016 in Esenyurt district of İstanbul and he disappeared since then.
His brother Fatih Demirtaş stressed during the press conference in the premises of İstanbul branch of Human Rights Association (HRA) that the detention of Recep Demirtaş was not registered in any prison or police station in İstanbul. The family was replied by the authorities that “they did not have any information”. The family will also make an official complaint with the Public Prosecutor in İstanbul for a possible abduction. Fatih Demirtaş also stressed that a police officer from Esenyurt Police Station said: “Your brother was detained by the police officers from our station. He is being interrogated by Anti-Terror branch.”
(08/060) Disappearance in Custody Allegations in Şanlıurfa…
According to the news appeared in the press on 18 August 2016, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair for Ceylanpınar district of Şanlıurfa province Fethullah Fidan disappeared after being detained during a house raid on 15 August 2016.
Although the blooded shirt of Fethullah Fidan was left in the garden of the house, his family announced that the officials denied the detention.
(08/061) Torture and Ill-treatment in Custody in İstanbul…
6 persons who were detained during a police intervention against a public stamen by Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) on 9 August 2016 in Ümraniye district of İstanbul were subjected to torture in custody according to the forensic reports.
The medical report certified “ecchymosed eyes, bruises and traces on the body and aching testicles”.
(08/062) Pressures in Prisons…
According to the news appeared in the press on 18 August 2016, 15 prisoners incarcerated in Siirt E-type Prison were transferred to other prisons on the grounds of “unavailable space”.
(08/063) Daily Özgür Gündem Closed…
Penal Court of Peace Judge No 8 on duty ordered on 16 August 2016 closure of daily Özgür Gündem for one month upon demand of İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Press Office. The decision was taken under the Article 28 of the Constitution and on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
Following the closure decision, the offices of the paper in İstanbul and the houses of the writers and editors of the paper were raided by the police.
During the raid of the Özgür Gündem office in İstanbul, 23 journalists were detained under beatings.
Novelist Aslı Erdoğan, columnist with the Özgür Gündem, who was detained on 17 August 2016 was arrested on 21 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation” and making propaganda of an illegal organisation”. Executive editor of the paper Zana Kaya and editor-in-chief İnan Kızılkaya were also arrested on 22 August 2016 for the same reasons.
(08/064) Detentions and Arrests in connection with the Coup d’État Attempt…
Ayşenur Parıldak, correspondent with the daily Zaman, who was detained in Ankara was arrested on 11 August 2016.
Arda Akın, correspondent with the daily Hürriyet, was recently detained in İstanbul and released was arrested on 15 August 2016.
Ali Ünal, editorial writer with the daily Zaman, who was detained in Uşak was arrested on 16 August 2016.
(08/065) Journalist Detained in İstanbul…
Photo-journalist Tuğba Tekerek was detained on 21 August 2016 in İstanbul when she was taking photographs.
(08/066) Journalists on Trial in Mardin…
Mardin Heavy Penal Court No 2 continued on 18 August 2016 to hear the case against Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Meltem Oktay who was arrested on 14 April 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin and another DİHA correspondent Uğur Akgül who was released after being detained along with Meltem Oktay.
The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “being member of an illegal organisation”. After the defence as to the accusations, the court decided to release Meltem Oktay to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to a later date.
(08/067) Protest Intervened in Eskişehir…
The police intervened the members of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) who wanted to stage a demonstration on 18 August 2016 in Eskşehir to protest in the closure of the daily Özgür Gündem. 11 persons including HDP Co-Chair for Eskişehir province Ahmet Uluçelebi were detained during the intervention.
(08/068) Demonstrations Banned…
All demonstrations and meetings were banned in several provinces on the anniversary of PKK’s first armed action on 15 August 1984.
Governorate of Batman announced that all demonstrations and meetings were banned from 15 August 2016 to 18 August 2016. Sub-Governorate of Silvan district of Diyarbakır also made a similar announcement on 14 August.
Governorate of Van banned the activities between 13 and 16 August 2016 and Governorate of Siirt between 14 and 16 August 2016.
Governorate of Diyarbakır announced that all demonstrations and meetings were banned starting from 15 August 2016.
(08/069) Persons on Trial in Ağrı…
Ağrı Heavy Penal Court continued on 15 August 2016 to hear the case against 29 executives and members of Democratic Regions Party (DBP) who were arrested after the raid of DBP premises in March 2016 in Ağrı.
The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “being member of an illegal organisation”. The defendants testified at the hearing through SEGBİS teleconference system. The court decided to release the defendant Fecri Yakut on TL 10,000 bail and adjourned the hearing to 29 August 2016.
(08/070) Persons on Trial in Malatya…
Malatya Heavy Penal Court No 2 continued on 16 August 2016 to hear the case against 15 students including 6 remanded defendants launched on charges of “being member of an illegal organisation”. The case was launched after the house raids conducted on 2 February in Malatya.
Following the testimonies of the defendants, the court decided to release 4 students to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to 4 October 2016.
(08/071) Political Party Premises Attacked…
A group of ultra-nationalists attacked the premises of Peoples’ Democratic Party in Elazığ following the attack of PKK against Security Directorate on 18 August 2016. The attackers forcibly entered the premises and damaged the properties in the premises. The attackers left after putting up a Turkish flag in the premises.
(08/072) Detentions and Arrests…
Security Forces conducted operations against the mayors from Democratic Regions Party (DBP) in several provinces. Co-Mayor of dil district in Şırnak province Nevin Oyman Girasun and Co-Mayor of Kulp district in Diyarbakır province were detained during house raids on 16 August 2016.
DBP Co-Chair for Kulp district Fatih Taş and Tamer Eren were also detained during the raids in Kulp.
13 persons including Co-Mayor of Ergani district in Diyarbakır province Gülistan Polat were detained during the operations on 13 August 2016.
The police conducted operations on 15 August 2016 against the United Revolutionary Party (Birleşik Devrimci Parti) in Mersin. 18 mebers and/or supporters of United Revolutionary Party were detained during the house raids.
14 detainees were arrested on 20 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of the illegal Turkey Northern Kurdistan Liberation Organisation (Türkiye Kuzey Kürdistan Kurtuluş Örgütü – TKKKÖ)” which dissolved 40 year ago.
The police conducted house raids on 14 August 2016 in Tuzluçayır quarter of Mamak district in Ankara and detained 11 persons including Etkin News Agency (ETHA) correspondent Fatma Edemen.
Former DBP Co-Chair for Tunceli province Ergin Doğru and Former Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair for Ovacık district Haşim Özdemir who were detained during house raids conducted in Tunceli were arrested on 15 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
The police conducted house raids on 15 August 2016 against the houses of HDP members in Aydın and detained 31 persons.
Former HDP Co-Chair for Söke district Hamit Ergül and Former Co-Mayor of Savuca town Ahmet Ölçer who were among detainees were arrested on 17 August 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
4 activists of HDP were also detained on 17 August 2016 in İzmir.
The soldiers conducted house raids on 15 August 2016 in Keklikpınar village of Ağrı. Azer Demir (18) and Orhan Özden (19) were detained on the allegations of “aiding an illegal organisation”.
11 persons were detained during house raids on 12 August 2016 in Bismil district of Diyarbakır. 4 persons in Çermik district, 1 person in Bağlar district, 17 persons in Silvan district and 7 persons in Lice district were also detained during the operations.
Mehmet Albay who was detained in Bismil and 5 persons who were detained in Silvan were detained on 18 August 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation.”
The police conducted house raids on 14 August 2016 in Gazi quarter of Sultangazi district in İstanbul and detained 9 persons.
Security Forces detained Erdal Canan on 14 August 2016 on Özgürlük Square in Yüksekova district of Hakkari. Municipality Assembly member Samet Teker was also detained on the same day in bus terminal.
24 persons were detained in Bitlis and its districts during the road controls and house raids on 13 and 14 August 2016.
The police conducted house raids on 13 August 2016 in Dörtyol and Erzin districts of Hatay and detained at least 15 persons including HDP co-chairs for the districts.
10 persons in Adana and 1 person in Xaçort quarter of İpekyolu district in Van were also detained on 13 Augsut 2016.
MEYA-DER (solidarity association for people who lost their relatives in Mesopotamia) Co-Chair for Van brach Neriman Urar and DBP executive for Özalp district in Van province Özlem Özbey who were detained during the operations were arrested on 13 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
Security Forces conducted operations on 13 August 2016 in İzmir, Erzurum, İstanbul, Şırnak, Mersin, Diyarbakır, Hakkari, Gaziantep, Siirt, Mardin provinces and detained 108 persons. .
Kurdish Language Research and Development Association (Amed Kürt Dili Araştırma ve Geliştirme Derneği – KURDÎ-DER) Co-Chair for İzmir branch Ali Yalçınkaya, Prisoners’ Families Solidarity Association TAYDER Co-Chir for İzmir branch Musa Karbadağ, Sait Bahadır, Mehmet Özan, Ümit Fatma Fırat, İzzetin Akın, Hakan Arslan, Hatip Bilen, Semih Ersönmez, Sedat Mihayaz, Rizgar Gaçkçen, Özgür Dilek and Abdulbarin Baran who were detained in İzmir were arrested on 20 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
The police conducted house raids on 15 August 2016 in Ceylanpınar district of Şanlıurfa and detained 8 persons.
Peace Group (Barış Grubu) member Mehmet Adanmış and handicapped Mehmet Sıdık Timurtaş who were detained 30 July 2016 in Siirt were arrested on 12 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
Diyarbakır Peace Mothers Assembly (Barış Anneleri Meclisi) member Dılşah Özgen (83) was detained on 12 August 2016 when she went to Diyarbakır Court House to testify in connection with an investigation. Dılşah Özgen was reportedly taken to Kocaköy Gendarmerie Command.
Municipality Assembly member Müjde Bozan who was detained on 1 August 2016 in Siirt was arrested on 11 August 2016 on the allegations of “adding an illegal organisation”.
The police conducted house raids on 16 August 2016 in Muş and detained 3 persons.
Former HDP Co-Cahir for Siirt province Ebedin Yiğit and Solidarity with Rojava Association (Rojava Yardımlaşma ve Dayanışma Derneği) former Chairperson Mehmetşah Uçar who were among detainees were arrested on 21 August 2016.
The police conducted operations on 16 August 2016 in Bitlis and detained 6 persons. 2 children who were among 20 children detained in Adana were arrested on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
6 persons were detained on 16 August 2016 in Cizre and İdil districts of Şırnak.
The police conducted house raids on 15 August against the houses of HDP members in Aydın and detained 31 persons. 7 detainees were arrested.
Süleyman Baytar and Velat Özdemir who were among 8 students detained in Antalya on 4 August 2016 were arrested after 14 days on 17 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
Murat Candan, Zeynel Ergin, Murat Gülbahar, Kenan Gülbahar and Cüneyt Cici Karakoçan who were detained during house raids in Yayladere district of Bingöl were arrested on 17 August 2016 on the allegations of “aiding an illegal organisation”.
5 persons who were detained in Ceylanpınar district of Şanlıurfa 18 days ago were arrested on 17 August 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
Denge TV correspondent Yusuf İba was detained on 17 August 2016 in Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı.
Deputy Mayor of Lice district of Diyarbakır province Kadir Bayram was detained during a road control on 17 August 2016.
Peace Mothers Assembly (Barış Anneleri Meclisi) members Asuman Külter, Mehmet Bağru, İbrahim Özmen, Cemal Ediz and Agit Başaran who were detained during house raids in Silopi district of Şırnak were arrested on 17 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
During operations and house raids conducted on 18 August 2016, 5 persons in Avgamasya village of Şırnak, 4 persons in Cizre district of Şırnak, HDP Co-Chair for Hatay Şükran Dağ Cabir in İskenderun district of Hatay, HDP executive for central district in Osmaniye province Celal Eker were detained.
5 persons who were among 6 persons detained in Siirt 15 days ago were arrested on the allegations of “aiding an illegal organisation”.3 persons were also detained in Solhan district of Bingöl.
DBP Co-Chair for Malazgirt district of Muş province Murat Kızıltaş who was among 7 persons detained during house raids was arrested on 23 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
6 persons who were detained while coming back from highlands to Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı were arrested on 18 August 2016 on the allegations of “aiding an illegal organisation”.
6 persons who were detained in Karayazı district of Erzurum were arrested on 21 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
2 militants were killed during an armed clash that broke out on 21 August 2016 nearby Xendekan hamlet of Tekman district in Erzurum.
12 persons who were among 14 persons detained for singing Kurdish songs in a public park in Esenyurt district of İstanbul were arrested on 21 August 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
Necat Yüzkan, Mehmet Kızmaz and Recep Gündüz who were among 7 persons detained on 13 August 2016 in Silvan district of Diyarbakır were arrested on 20 August 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
The police conducted operations on 20 August 2016 against the houses of DBP and HDP members in Şanlıurfa province and detained 49 persons.
The police raided on 20 August 2016 the premises of HDP in Maltepe district of İstanbul and detained Yusuf Bozkurt, Ceyhun Dursun, Ersin Kaya and Gamze Poyraz.13 persons were also detained during the house raids in Beyoğlu and Kâğıthane districts.