The people of Sheladize were targeted in detention operations after raiding a Turkish military base on January 26 in protest of the Turkish state murdering 4 civilians on January 23. KDP’s Regional Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani defended Turkish invasion attacks and blamed the protesters. KDP security forces detained dozens of people in the following days. Most of the detainees were released but 6 of them are still in custody.

Lawyer Rebin Shemami said they submitted a report to the UN Iraq Representation office and the US Embassy about the 6 persons still in detention.

Shemami said the UN hasn’t yet responded to the report which included a demand for the release of detainees.

Security forces don’t allow the lawyers to meet with the detainees and also refuse to provide information on them.