Within the scope of the investigation against the Democratic Society Congress (DTK), 72 people, 24 of whom were lawyers, were detained in house raids in Diyarbakır, Istanbul, İzmir and Adıyaman yesterday. 21 lawyers were released in the evening after giving their statements at the police station. 

 

Lawyers Nagehan Avçil and Veysi Eski, members of the Lawyers Association for Freedom (ÖHD), who reacted to the operation, stated that whenever the power is in trouble, it turns towards Kurdish intellectuals and politicians. 

 

Describing the operation as "political genocide," ÖHD's Nagehan Avçil said: "We were not surprised by this operation that took place right after Erdoğan speaking about a 'judicial reform'. Once again the Kurdish politicians and lawyers are faced with a method of pressure just like it happens everytime after someone speaks of a reform.

 

Reminding that the ÖHD was closed down with a law decree 4 years ago, Avçil said, "They thought they would be able to supress the Kurdish politicians and lawyers back then. But our struggle grew stronger with the attacks of fascism. We will never submit to fascism. This is as clear as day since the establishment of our association. We will never give up being in solidarity with the revolutionary lawyers or the opposition of this country will give up being in solidarity with their attorneys. We will fight against fascism together, and we will win at the end."

 

Veysi Eski from ÖHD said: "The government thinks that it can ensure its own survival and integrity by attacking Kurds everytime they get stuck. They are wrong. In a country where the Kurdish people can not get their rights, a democratic ground can not be established. The struggle of the Kurdish people and their attorneys will eventually win.Both the Kurdish people, and their attorneys will resist, as always with dignity. The only key to peace is a solution to the Kurdish question. This is how we can ensure the human's rights. Anything less than that is flogging a dead horse."