RIHA - A.R., who was detained in Serekanîyê district, said: "A police officer told me, 'What are you doing with the party, go hang out with girls'. Another police officer brought a paper with the National Anthem and told me to read it." 

 

In Serekanîyê (Ceylanpınar) district of Riha (Urfa-Kurdistan), A.R. (21) was detained yesterday evening at his workplace on the allegation of "making propaganda for an illegal organization". A.R. was handcuffed behind his back and his head was bowed down and taken to the District Security Directorate for statement. During his statement, A.R. was asked about a post on a virtual media account allegedly belonging to him, which was made against the isolation and had a photo of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan on it. A.R. was released after his statement, said that the police tried to force him to recite the "National Anthem". 

 

'THEY USED VIOLENCE, I FELL' 

 

Stating that he was detained while he was working, A.R. said: "Police officers arrived in front of my workplace in armored vehicles. They told me that I was detained and that they were going to put me in the vehicle in handcuffs behind my back. I asked to see the prosecutor's office letter regarding the detention decision. I objected to the reverse handcuffs. I told them that I was a shopkeeper in the bazaar and I would not accept to be taken away in this way. Then they handcuffed me behind my back and started beating me. Then when they tried to put me in the armored vehicle, they didn't open the stairs, so I fell and hurt my foot. My foot is still swollen." 

 

 

'THEY WANTED ME TO SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM DURING THE STATEMENT' 

 

Stating that he was then taken to the hospital, A.R. said: "The doctor asked me verbally if there was anything wrong with me. Then he immediately gave me a paper and we left. They took me to the police station for a statement, but while I was waiting for my lawyer, they started asking me irrelevant questions. Even though my ID was in my car in front of the shop, they asked me, 'Why don't you carry your ID, is it because Turkish flag on it? A police officer told me, 'What are you doing with the party, go hang out with girls'. Another police asked me if I knew the National Anthem. When I said I don't, he left and came back with a paper in his hand. The National Anthem was written on the paper and he told me to read it. I told him that I would not get into polemics with them and refused to read it. Then my statement was taken and I left."