Turkish Medical Association (TTB) Central Council Chair, Professor Şebnem Korur Fincancı, was targeted for her statements regarding the need for an investigation into allegations of Turkey’s use of chemical weapons against HPG guerrillas in the Kurdistan Region. She was taken into custody on Wednesday morning on charges of "terrorist propaganda", and appeared at the Ankara Anti-Terror Branch Directorate.

Professor Fincancı, who was given a 24-hour custody order and is expected to be brought to the Ankara Courthouse for a statement to the prosecutor's office this morning, sent a message through her lawyers.

She said that she would explain her views with scientific evidence, and thanked the public for showing solidarity.

Fincancı said in her message: "Dear fellow travellers, I am sorry that you are faced with this surrealistic situation. However, I know that we will overcome this surrealistic process with solidarity. I was going to convey the scientific opinion process to you with its resources, but I did not have the opportunity. When this process is over, let's hold a meeting on evidence.

You are definitely very tired and, unfortunately, I also contributed to this. Together we will overcome this smear campaign. With solidarity, I look forward to the days when we will establish a humane health system together.”