Increasing its dictatorial practices against the whole society, the AKP-MHP regime is subjecting the artists, too, to repression, censorship, detention and imprisonment.

Şehir was taken into custody following a raid on his flat in Amed (Diyarbakır) on September 25, and he was referred to court after procedures at police directorate, with a demand for his arrest on alleged charges of “membership to an illegal organization”. After appearing in court, the director was remanded in custody and sent to Diyarbakır D Type Prison.

Director Giyasettin Şehir was awarded the Best Director prize at 48th International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival in 2011 for his film “Meş” (March).

Giyasettin Şehir is also a founding member of the Dicle-Fırat Kültür Sanat Merkezi (Tigris-Euphrates Culture and Arts Center) where he lectured hundreds of students on cinema, theater and modern dance for years.