Three residents of the village of Peyindas (tr. Söğütlü) in Tatvan district of Bitlis province have been imprisoned for supporting the PKK after five days in custody.

Mustafa Tedbirli, shepherd Garip Ipek and Kerem Avras had been detained last week along with other people after a clash between the Turkish army and the guerrillas near the village. Five other detainees were released on condition of judicial supervision.

Peyindas was burnt down by the Turkish state in 1993. The Avras family returned to the village after eleven years and tried to build a new life there. According to his sister Kiymet Avras, Kerem Avras was arrested while working in the fields and severely tortured.