Democratic Society Congress (DTK) Co-chair Leyla Güven had been detained in Amed on January 22 because of opposing Turkey’s operation against Afrin Canton and her political works at the DTK.

After 9 days in police custody, Güven was taken to Diyarbakır Courthouse Wednesday noon.

DBP (Democratic Regions’ Party) Co-chair Mehmet Arslan, HDK (Peoples’ Democratic Congress) Co-spokesperson Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party) Amed MP Sibel Yiğitalp, HDP Şırnak MP Leyla Birlik, DTK, HDP, DBP administrators and civilians gathered in front of the courthouse in solidarity with Güven.

At the prosecutor’s Office, Güven wanted to defend herself in Kurdish but her demand was rejected on the grounds that she lives in Turkey, is a former member of the parliament and can express herself in Turkish language.

Güven was then referred to court with a demand for her arrest on the grounds of her works at DTK and her press statements against Turkey’s Afrin operation. She was accused of “founding and administering an armed organisation”, “spreading propaganda for a terror organisation” and “inciting people to hatred and enmity”.

Güven was then remanded in custody for “founding and administering an armed organisation”.