The presidents of 24 bar associations in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan have demanded the release of their arrested colleagues. In the last days, nine lawyers in Urfa, Amed (Diyarbakir), Van and Şırnak have been arrested in the course of a preliminary investigation conducted in Urfa. In the same proceedings, twelve prison guards and several ex-prisoners were also arrested.

As the bar associations state in a joint statement, the investigation file is under secrecy and there is no information on the background to the wave of arrests. This uncertainty has raised serious doubts, according to the chamber presidents: "The action taken against our colleagues in three provinces is aimed at silencing the defence throughout the country. We demand the immediate release of our arrested colleagues and hereby declare that we stand by their side."