In a written statement denying the allegations that PKK is holding more prisoners in custody, People's Defense Forces Press Office (HPG-BIM) has stated that they had no more prisoners except for the eight public officials who were released and handed over to a delegation in Media Defense areas on 13 March.

HPG-BIM pointed out that they are currently holding three people whom they arrested because of the crimes they had committed against the Kurdish people. HPG said that the trial of these three people is still going on in the scope of the KCK (Kurdish Communities Union) laws.

HPG Commander Bawer Dersim who spoke at the press conference before the release of eight Turkish public officers yesterday said that the Kurdish Freedom Movement didn't side with the detention of anyone. Dersim underlined that they had guaranteed the health and safety of the eight public officers in the scope of international laws during their detention which -he said- is a consequence of the war in the country.

HPG commander noted that the prisoners had been subjected to no insulting or bad treatment by their side. “We trust the release of the eight prisoners will make a contribution to the democratic solution process which should be supported by the people of Turkey and families of the prisoners as well”, he added.