Of the 11 students, who were detained  in Van following raids carried out on YÖDER, Delila Cultural Center, Yüzüncü Yýl University (YYÜ) Student Residence and some houses on 12 January and taken to court house, 8 were arrested for "membership in an organization" and sent to prison.

While Yahya Türk and Dilan Bilen were released from Special Public Prosecutor's Office after giving their statements, 9 students were referred to Van High Criminal Court Night Judicature with arrest demand for "organization membership". While Erdal Taman was released on conditions of trial without arrest after the proceeding till midnight, 8 students including Doðan Sayat, Ferhat Turan, Elif Öztürk and Kasým Çelik were arrested and sent to prison.

A group of university students protested the arrests by waiting in front of the courthouse till midnight to support their friends.

Of the arrested students, Doðan Sayat had on 17 December informed that he was being followed and threatened by police and applied to ÝHD (Human Rights Association) Van Branch for not having security of life.

Translation: Berna Ozgencil