YJA Star guerrilla Kaymaz buried in Siirt under heavy police presence

YJA Star guerrilla Gurbet Kaymaz was buried in her hometown of Siirt. The police prevented the religious burial rites, allowed no imam to the cemetery and only ten people could attend the burial.

Free Women's Association (YJA Star) guerrilla Gurbet Kaymaz fell between 14 and 28 July during heavy fighting between guerrillas and the Turkish army in the region of Hizan (Xîzan) in the province of Bitlis (Bedlîs).

The fighting lasted twelve days. The relatives were summoned by the Bitlis Military Police Headquarters for a DNA test, and after comparing the data, the fighter's body was handed over to them.

Inhuman treatment by police

The family arrived on Monday evening with the remains in the city of Siirt (Sêrt), and were greeted by a massive police presence. The police surrounded Zevyê Cemetery and prevented Kaymaz from being buried by an imam after preventing him from carrying out the religious burial rites.

Only ten family members were allowed to attend the funeral. Even washing the corpse was forbidden under massive threats.