Protests against “November 4 political coup” attacked by the police in Ağrı and Van

November 4 marks the 5th anniversary of the arrests of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) co-chairs, Figen Yüksekdag and Selahattin Demirtas, alongside other parliamentarians in 2016. It is also the beginning of an ongoing systematic repression against the HDP.

The Ağrı Provincial Organization of the HDP was set to make a press statement in protest at the “November 4 political coup”. Prevented by the police, the HDP group began a sit-in demonstration in protest at the obstruction of their right to assembly.

The demonstrators were attacked by Turkish police, and six people, including HDP co-chairs Semra Özden and Erol Berke, were detained using force.

The HDP Van Provincial Organization also wanted to issue a press release. The gathering on Sanat Street was halted due to the governor’s decision.

The police attacked the HDP gathering and detained a large number of people, using force against the demonstrators. Journalists were also prevented from taking photographs.