As part of an investigation launched by Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, five socialist activists and politicians were taken into custody in a Diyarbakır-based operation on Wednesday. The detainees are Beycan Taşkıran, the Deputy Co-Chair of the ESP (Socialist Party of the Oppressed), Satiye Ok, a member of the Central Executive Board of the Socialist Women’s Assembly (SKM), Muhammet Altınkaya, a member of the Federation of Socialist Youth Associations (SGDF), SGDF member Serhat Eren and Heja Kayan.

In the scope of the same investigation, ESP member Rıza Çimen were taken into custody in Bursa province, as well as Ela Deniz Albayrak and education union Eğitim-Sen Bursa Branch Secretary Murat Pınar. The detainees were taken to the anti-terror branch of the police.

ESP made a statement about the detentions in Diyarbakır today, accompanied by administrators from the DBP (Democratic Regions Party) and HEDEP (Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party).

Orhan Çelebi, the ousted co-mayor of the Akpazar Municipality, stated that lawyers have talked to the detainees today and reported that all of them have gone on hunger strike. According to Çelebi, the detainees are not provided with enough water and sugar.

HEDEP Diyarbakır provincial co-chair Pınar Sakık Tekin stated that women who disturb fascism are turned into a target by the system, remarking that these attacks against women and young people seek to supress society. She vowed to increase their struggle against attacks.

DBP Diyarbakır provincial co-chair Sultan Yaray pointed out that the AKP has been pursuing the same policy for 23 years and said: “During this period of time, hundreds of writers, politicians and journalists were put in prison because of their thoughts and ideas. This is exactly why there can be no talk of peace and democracy in this country. Still, we will continue our struggle against the fascist attacks directed against the people.”

ESP Co-Chair Şahin Tümüklü stated that the government tries to restrict and impede the struggle through these attacks, vowing to continue their fight in response.