Almost 400 people arrested due to Oct 6-7 Kobane unrest

ANKARA

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ.

According to figures provided by Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ, just under 400 people have been arrested so far in relation to the Oct. 6-7 unrest.

“As a result of unpermitted demonstrations held under the guise of Kobane, 73 investigations were launched into 1,598 suspects; 894 people were taken into custody and 386 people have been arrested. Twenty-nine of our citizens lost their lives,” Bozdağ said on Nov. 13.

Bozdağ provided the related information in response to a question from lawmakers during debates on a bill about the personal rights of judicial officers and arrangements concerning the Supreme Court of Appeals and the Council of State at Parliament’s Justice Commission.

Unrest on the streets, which peaked on Oct. 6 and 7, led to the deaths of dozens of people in clashes between rival groups, following protests over the government’s perceived inaction toward Syrian Kurds besieged by jihadists in the town of Kobane in northern Syria.

Bozdağ also said 244 people have been released on probation, while five others have been released.