In Kiziltepe district of Mardin, house raids were carried out early this morning and ten people were taken into custody. The background is a preliminary investigation by the Mardin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Those involved are accused of propaganda for the PKK at this year's Newroz celebration. The detainees were taken to the local police station.

Investigations are also underway against the organizing committee of the Newroz event in Kızıltepe. Seven people were summoned by police and questioned about the charges.

The Kurdish New Year on March 21 has been celebrated in over 60 cities in Northern Kurdistan and Turkey. In Amed (Diyarbakır), one million people gathered for a celebration. Some 500 people were detained in the run-up to and during the events, including many minors. The repression continues to this day, and dozens of house raids have been carried out in several cities in recent weeks.