Kurdish artist Çiftçi remanded in custody

Kurdish artist Emel Çiftçi was remanded in custody on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization" and "directing a terrorist organization".

Kurdish artist Emel Çiftçi, who went to the hospital for treatment in Amed on Monday morning, was taken into custody on the grounds that there was an arrest warrant issued against her. Emel Çiftçi was taken into custody as the result of an investigation launched in Ankara and Batman. She first gave a statement in Ankara and then was connected to Diyarbakir Courthouse via Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBIS). The artist was questioned on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization" and "management of an organization" because of her cultural and artistic activities. She was referred to the Penal Judgeship of Peace on Duty with a request for "arrest".

Risk of escape

Çiftçi was remanded in custody because the judge found there were "grounds for the suspicion of escape and the blackening of evidence."

Urgent surgery needed

Çiftçi 's health reports were presented by her lawyers, who said that the artist was diagnosed with uterine cancer and that she needed to undergo emergency surgery. Although it was said that Çitçi was treated at Bağlar State Hospital and had a fixed residence, the judgeship decided to send her to prison. Çiftçi also suffered from a thyroid condition.

Despite her health, the artist was taken to Diyarbakır Women's Closed Prison.