Union head released in ongoing KCK probe

ANKARA

We know these operations aim to criminalize, marginalize and discredit our lawful struggle for union rights and liberties, KESK head Lami Özgen says. AA photo

Six more members of the Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (KESK) were arrested June 29 in the ongoing KCK probe, while seven members, including Lami Özgen the confederation’s chairman, were released.

On June 28 22 KESK members had been arrested on charges of membership in the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), the alleged urban wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Özgen addressed union members waiting for him outside the court after he was released and criticized the detention of KESK members.

“The successive operations against KESK within the last few months are deliberate and programmed acts against the revolutionary and democratic patriots of our group, who lawfully fight for union rights. We know these operations aim to criminalize, marginalize and discredit our lawful struggle for union rights and liberties. We have such a tradition of struggle that we have never given up fighting until now,” Özgen said.

A total of 71 people, many of them high-level union figures, were detained June 25 on charges of membership to the KCK.

KESK is a major public workers union confederation in Turkey.