People Defense Forces (HPG) has released AKP Kulp district chair Veysel Çelik last night. Çelik was taken into custody by HPG guerrillas during road control on 12 May.

In a press conference held at the Human Rights Association (IHD) premises in Diyarbakýr, the chair of IHD Mehmet Emin Aktar explained the circumstances of Çelik release. IHD and other civil society organizations were involved in the negotiations which led to the release of the AKP politician.

Çelik himself stated that he is to leave politics and the ruling AK party for which he had harsh words. "My detention - he said - was an answer to the scores of BDP executives arrested by the government". He added that his family had turned to civil society association for help and said he has witnessed the extent of the military operation while in custody of the guerrilla, who he ended, "treated me well".