18 detained in police attack on women demonstrating for peace in Van - UPDATED
In Van, the police attacked a march organized by the Free Women's Movement (TJA) with the slogan “Women marching to freedom”. 18 people were violently taken into custody.
The Free Women's Movement (TJA) organized a demonstration in the Kurdish province of Van under the slogan “Women are marching to freedom”.
Hundreds of women, including Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar, gathered at Sanat Street in the city center to march to the DBP provincial building.
In an attempt to prevent the march, the police violently attacked the group and injured many women, including MPs. 18 demonstrators were violently taken into custody, some being dragged on the ground.
The protesters subjected to police violence were taken to Van Yüzüncü Yıl Dursun Odabaşı Medical Center for medical examination.
The detainees are expected to give a statement to the police in the evening.
Citizens in the neighborhood reacted to the police violence with slogans and started a sit-in protest on central Cumhuriyet Street.
After the sit-in, which lasted for about an hour, MPs and citizens marched on the street in protest. Young people also marched on many streets, chanting slogans.
After the police attack, people started to gather in front of DBP provincial building. The tension continues.
