A chief prosecutor has asked for the closure of 10 local associations in the province of Van. The prosecutor said the associations are linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The lawsuit comes just after the approval of the  "Preventing Financing Terrorism Law", which commentators said is aimed at Kurdish businessmen. The Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) dubbed this law "genocide law". The law was approved by the President of the Republic, Abdullah Gül.

Among the associations the prosecutor would like to see closing down are women rights associations, prisoners solidarity groups and Kurdish language cultural centers. In the lawsuit filed and accepted by a local district court, Chief Prosecutor Canip Cihangir accused the associations of links with the PKK saying these links were confirmed by secret testimonies.

"This is the first time that local associations are being targeted within the scope of the KCK (Kurdish Communities Union). Up to now it targeted individuals," Murat Timur, Van Bar Association Chairperson, said.

The court stated the 10 local associations in the lawsuit as: Mesopotamia Disappeared people Family Solidarity Association (MEYA-DER), Inmate Families' Democratic Law and Solidarity Association (TUYAD-DER), Immigration Issues Research and Culture Association of Van (Van GÖÇ-DER), Yüzüncü Yıl University Student Association (YÖDER), Van Women Association (VAKAD), Van Hacıbekir Neighborhood Free Citizen Association, Seyit Fehim Arvasi Neighborhood Free Society Association, Yeni Mahalle Free People Association, Kurdish Language Research and Improvement Association (KURDİ-DER) and Akköprü Neighborhood Democratic People Association.