DÝHA News Agency journalists Özlem Aðuþ and Zeynep Kuriþ who were taken under custody in Mersin on 14 February were not allowed to meet their lawyers as to last night. It is understood that the decision was based on the "confidentiality" of the investigation.

Clearly this is yet another slap in the face of right and justice.

Around 100 people, including Akdeniz mayor Fazýl Türk, assistant mayors, city council members and Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) city and district executives, were arrested on 14 February during the funeral of People's Defense Force (HPG) member Murat Þakar.

Thirty-six of the detainees, including the two DÝHA reporters, were still in custody after the prosecutors demanded for an extension in the detention period.