Turkish soldiers attacked the people acting as human shields to prevent probable clashes during the operation run by Turkish troops in the rural area between Bulanık and Varto districts of Muş.

25 people, including Bulanık co-mayor Rahmi Çelik and DIHA reporter Cüneyt Duran, were first beaten and then detained by soldiers affiliated to the Turkish army.

Turkish soldiers intervened the people who flocked to the area of the operation launched by Turkish troops yesterday, Oct. 13 between Nîftîk (Seçme), Şelul (Beşevler), Êşîkuleka (Meşeiçi) villages of Bulanık and Kaniya Mêra (Boyalı), Zoro (Esenler) and Qerepungar (Karapınar) of Varto districts of Muş. As the entry to the operation area were blocked, many people reached the scene through the side paths in the mountainous area but were soon later stopped by soldiers, who attacked the people and randomly detained whomever they could.

The detainees were further subject to a physical attacked at Bulanık Gendarme Command where they were taken to from the scene and spent the night. It has also been reported that two people fainted due to torture they suffered at the Gendarme Station and taken to Bulanık Public Hospital.

Other detainees are expected to be referred to the prosecutor’s office during the day after the completion of the procedures at the Gendarme Station.