Thirty KESK (Confederation of Public Workers Union) executives and members out of the 71 taken into custody on 25 June have been referred to an Ankara court on Wednesday. The 71 unionists were arrested in the context of yet another KCK (Kurdish Communities Union) operation.

Following the interrogation at Ankara Security Directorate, 30 of the detainees have been referred to Ankara Court where representatives of many political parties and democratic organizations had gathered to protest against the detentions.

In a statement in front of the court building, KESK General Secretary Ýsmail Hakký Tombul gave information about the process of detentions. Tombul remarked that 54 KESK members are currently held in custody, including Chairperson Lami Özgen.

Tombul stated that detained KESK executives and members were asked questions about the slogans they chanted during demonstrations and the reason why they joined the general strike with health organizations on 21 December 2011.

Tombul noted that a press statement will be made for detained KESK members in front of the court building today.

Nine woman members of KESK were arrested following an operation against the union on 14 February. Thirty nine KESK executives and members are currently jailed in Turkish prisons.