KCK operations hit KESK and Eğitim-Sen
ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News
DHA video grab
Police have detained 58 people, including a number of leftist union leaders, across the country on charges of membership in the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), the alleged urban wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (KESK) President Lami Özgen and Eğitim-Sen – a left-wing teachers’ union – Diyarbakır branch director Kasım Birtek were among those detained on the orders of the Specially Authorized Ankara Public Prosecutors’ Office.
The raids are a government operation, Eğitim-Sen President Ünsal Yıldız said, adding that his union’s activities on education were a source of concern for the government. “Those who think that similar operations will put pressure on our union are mistaken.”
Police launched the operations in 11 provinces, including Ankara, Eskişehir, Aydın, Hakkari, Adana, İzmir, Siirt and Diyarbakır early this morning, including a 6 a.m. raid on KESK’s headquarters in Ankara, as well as a 5:30 a.m. raid on Eğitim-Sen’s Diyarbakır branch. Birtek was detained after an hour-long search.
Law enforcement officers also confiscated documents from the Siirt branches of the Human Rights Association (İHD) and Eğitim-Sen.
