Activist Sedat Karadað, member of Democratic and Patriotic Youth (DYG), lost one eye after being shot in the head at a military checkpoint in Hakkari on December 10, was arrested on December 30, before his medical treatment was actually completed. Since then there has followed a round of arrests.

Karadað, who is still in a life-threatening situation, started a hunger strike against his detention.

Many Kurds then launched a demonstration to protest against the soldiers’ brutality and to support Karadað.

Yesterday, Kurdish people in Van also wanted to protest against Karadað's arrest and ill treatment. But police violently intervened against the demonstrators throwing several gas bombs at theme and using pressured waters to disperse the crowd. Mostly young protestors refused to put an end to the action and marched to the hospital chanting slogans.

Peace and Democracy Party Deputies took part to the march and demonstration. Police detained at least 30 demonstrators.