Birwa Star studying at the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Sulaymaniyah, who lives in Hewlêr and studies in Sulaymaniyah, was taken into custody by asayish (public security) forces during street protests on December 18.

His university friend Zîwkan Zîwkanî stated that Birwa Star has gone on hunger strike to protest his detention and unlawfulness in custody. Zîwkan Zîwkanî said asayish was responsible for the security of Star who is held in Kanî Gome Prison in Sulaymaniyah.

Several politicians, protesters, activists and civilians were taken into custody during the past four days of mass protests against the government across Southern Kurdistan.