The Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) Peoples and Beliefs Council issued a statement regarding the arrest of Priest Sefer Bileçen (Reverend Aho) who was detained with 10 people in Nusaybin, Mardin and was later remanded in custody on terror charges.

The statement said Bileçen is "a priest who lived for years in seclusion" and reminded that "he was arrested on the confessions of village guards who survive as long as they receive salary from the state."

The statement added: "Those who arrested Father Aho are those who do not respect his religion, his beliefs, the right to worship. All these operations are carried out to implement the policy of dehumanization of the region."