University student Hevrest Şiwan, a member of the Kurdistan Free Society Movement (Tevgera Azadî), was arrested by asayish (public security) forces in Hewlêr (Erbil). Şiwan’s computer and phone were also confiscated during his arrest. So far, there is no official statement on his arrest.

Şiwan has participated in many protests against the attacks of the Turkish state on southern Kurdistan. The ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and its Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzanî have repeatedly expressed their loyalty to Turkey and are constantly using the police units under their control against the democratic opposition.