Police and asayish (public security) forces detained dozens of people during mass streets protests across Southern Kurdistan throughout this week. The detainees include New Generation Movement Leader Şaswar Ebdulwahîd and Tevgera Azadi Sulaymaniyah province co-chair Hacî Azad.

Although many days have passed, official statement has been made yet regarding those detained in Sulaymaniyah, Rania, Khaladize, Hacîawa, Sengeser, Chamchamal, Pîremegrûn, Halabja and Koyê.

ŞASWAR ON HUNGER STRIKE

Regarding the detention of New Generation Movement Leader Şaswar Ebdulwahîd, Movement member Şêrwan Şêrwanî Xobexş said the following in a Facebook post:

“We have received variable information about Şaswar from officials. After his detention at the Airport of Sulaymaniyah on 19 December, he was taken to Sulaymaniyah’s Qelaçolanê district. In the face of national and international reactions, he was then brought to the Police Directorate of Sulaymaniyah. He has gone on hunger strike in protest at the unlawfulness.”

TEVGERA AZADI CO-CHAIR STILL NOT RELEASED

Regarding the recent developments, Tevgera Azadi administrator Ebdulwehab Ehmed said: “Tevgera Azadi Sulaymaniyah province co-chair Hacî Azad has not been released yet. Reports say that many other people are held together with him in the asayish department in Sulaymaniyah. We are not provided with any information about their situation. Our efforts continue for the release of all the detainees. Large numbers of people were taken into custody across Southern Kurdistan and there is no information about the situation of many of them.

Lawyer Şiwan Seîd Elî who was threatened by the asayish in Hewlêr’s Rewandiz town told the following about what he has been through: “Asayish of Rewandiz chased and threatened me and they want to detain me because they know that I support the protesters. My life is in danger and I had to leave my home. Asayish said me ‘We will kill you if you don’t halt’. I can’t go to my house.”

Most of the detained NRT TV employees have been released. One of these is Serkewt Şemsedîn, who was held in custody for one day and then released.

Broadcast of NRT TV was halted on 19 December on the grounds of live coverage of popular uprising. RojNews reporters Roze Mihemed, Elî Qadir, Dana Omer, Cîhan Hewramî, Hewkar Mistefa and Şemal Hesen are among the many journalists who got injured while covering the protests.