In a statement released on Tuesday, KESK (Confederation of Public Workers' Unions) announced that today it will hold a press conference before the first hearing of the case against 72 executives and members of the Confederation on Wednesday.

KESK said that the press conference will also be joined by Frank Williams, representative of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and Ulrich Thöne, President of the German Education Union (GEW) and representatives of other national and international federations who will also be attending the hearing of 72 unionists at the Courthouse of Turkish capital Ankara. 22 out of 72 unionists, including KESK President Lami Özgen who are accused of being members of the Kurdish Communities Union (KCK), have been under arrest for months now.

The operations carried out on 19 February 2013 and resulted in 60 arrests are not accidental. Previous arrests were not accidental either, says KESK.
Indeed, the trade union reminds that AKP government paints a rosy picture of Turkey for the international public opinion. It argues that government made tens of reforms and amendments. It also argues that effects of the military on administration of the country were eliminated.     
It is true that tens of amendments on Turkish Laws have been made. However, these amendments are for the interests of capitalist class and employers but not for the labourers and peoples. The core and the fundamental structure of the laws which were arguably amended are not different from the previous laws'. Amendments are not structural but cosmetic.

Here a list of previous operations ahainst KESK:
28 November 2011 – 25 colleagues including our General Chairperson Lami Özgen and administrators in the headquarters of our trade union were all sentenced to imprisonment for 6 years and 3 months as a result of the case that was filed due to our trade union activities in 2009. They were banned from travelling abroad. The result of the objection we made against the decision has not been declared yet.

Date: 13 February 2012- 15 female administrators and members including KESK female Secretary Canan Calağan were taken under custody after the raids made in their homes and workplaces. While six of our colleagues who were kept under custody for 4 days were released, nine of them were arrested. After the eight-month period that elapsed since that date, on 4 October 2012 at the first hearing six of them were released on bail. At the second hearing on 13 December 2012 remained three women were also released. The next and the third hearing will be heard on 18 April 2013.
 
Date: 25 June 2012 – A total of 50 colleagues including KESK General Chairperson Lami Özgen and administrators of many trade unions were taken under custody. After the custody that lasted for three days, a total of 22 colleagues including our General Chairperson were released pending a trial and 28 of them were arrested. The indictment of 72 friends (28 imprisoned and 44 released) was issued on 12 February 2013. The first hearing will be on 10 April 2013.
 
Date: 2 September 2012 – Case that was filed against 3 KESK members who attended the press release on 8 March 2005 regarding International Women’s Day resulted in imprisonment for 1,5 years. Our colleagues had been arrested on 2 September 2012. They released 4 months later, on 26 December 2012, as we made an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Date: 19 September 2013- 169 trade unionists in 28 provinces of Turkey were detained after their houses were searched.  KESK's Headquarters Office in Ankara and branch offices of affiliated trade unions were also searched.
AKP government declared that targets of the relevant operations were illegal organizations. Akman Şimşek, Training and Organization Secretary of KESK and Erdoğan Canpolat, a member of KESK's Supervisory Board were also arrested within the scope of these operations. Trade unionists' houses had been searched by police officers at the early hours of the morning were subjected to unlawful treatments.
For instance a trade unionist who has been received chemotherapy treatment for three years were detained when she was in hospital. The reason for her detention given by the officers is the possibility that she could escape. 3 month baby was also detained for 12 hours since his/her parents were detained. Akman Şimşek, a member of the Steering Committee of KESK wanted to sent his 16 year old daughter to his brother since Şimşek's wife was also detained. Police officers, however, threatened him to send his daughter to the Social Institution for the protection of children.  After three day detention period our colleagues was brought before the prosecutors’ offices and courts and totally 60 of them, including Akman Şimşek, KESK's Steering Committee Member and Erdoğan Canpolat member of KESK's Supervisory Board were imprisoned.      

What are Arrested KESK Members are charged for
According to AKP government that calls everyone opposing it “terrorist offender” and Courts with Special Authority under its control, the answer to this question is clear.
Opposing anti-democratic laws that ignore the rights of public workers,
Participating in meetings, press releases and peaceful protests that do not contain violence organized by the confederation and trade union for this purpose,
Using its right to strike in line with the constitution that regards international treaties-agreements on top of the national law,
Participating in demonstrations made against the transformation of public services such as education and health into paid services.
Participating in protests requesting that unionists who were previously taken under custody and arrested are released,
Struggling against all kinds of discrimination, violence, abuse and rape against women
Participating in the events organized on 8 March International Women’s Day and 25 November International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women,
Lots of other trade union protests and events that are similar to the ones above and we cannot cite here are shown as “illegal” activities.
Common characteristics of arrested KESK administrators and members are that they have been involved actively in the labour struggle of public workers for years. This shows that AKP, as political power, would like to threaten oppositional sects.
What is cited as “Evidence” in the arresting of the trade unionists?
Participating in decisions taken by the confederation and trade unions and trade union activities we carry out,
Attending to demonstrations and press releases organized by the confederation itself,
Participating in strikes organized to protect rights and interests of public workers
It is strange but organizing picnics for trade unionists, making breakfast collectively, participating in concerts, going cinema and theatres to watch plays by taking tickets collectively are provided as evidences of the reason for the unionists' detentions.

“Evidences” of Crime
Photos and video records showing executives and members participated in trade union activities and events,
Statements of so-called anonymous witnesses,
Print-out resume reports, writers and dates of which are not known,
Legal books and journals that can be found in all book stores,  
Phone calls monitored through illegal tapping of telephones in the rooms and meetings and of the administrators and members of our trade unions, which clearly have a content related to the trade union, are presented as “Evidence”.