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The roads leading to the Newroz celebrations planned to be held on Bakırköy Public Bazaar today (March 20) have been closed ahead of the celebrations. Police teams and anti-riot vehicles have been deployed to the area.
The entrance and exit of the subway station in Bakırköy have been closed and police helicopter are flying above the area.
Entrance to the street is closed
Newroz Newroz refers to the celebration of the traditional Iranian new year holiday of Newroz in Kurdish society. In Kurdish legend, the holiday celebrates the deliverance of the Kurds from a tyrant, and it is seen as another way of demonstrating support for the Kurdish cause. The celebration coincides with the Northward equinox which falls mainly on 21 March and the festival is held usually between 18 and 24 March. |
According to the report of the Fırat News Agency, also the location of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Bahçelievler district organization where HDP Co-Chair Fügen Yüksekdağ and Democratic Regions’ Party (DBP) Co-Chair Kamuran Yüksek would make a statement is under police barricade. The HDP component parties and journalists are not being allowed to enter the street on which the HDP building is located.
Over journalists not being allowed in the HDP Bahçelievler district building, Figen Yüksekdağ in her statement given at the entrance of the street where the HDP building is located has condemned the police barricade, shown reaction to the prohibitions introduced for Newroz celebrations in all districts and noted that they would go to Bakırköy
“Newroz can’t be forbidden through field prohibitions. We invite all our people to celebrate in compliance with the spirit of Newroz.
Interference in Başakşehir
Many attenders of the Newroz celebrations organized by HDP Başakşehir District Organization in Güvercintepe neighbourhood wanted to carry out the celebration ceremony jumping over the tires they had set on fire.
According to the report of Dicle News Agency (DİHA), police has attacked on the attenders with pressurized water and many have been taken into custody and brought to İstanbul Security Directorate.
Raid on HDP in İzmir
In the operations carried out in eight districts by teams of İzmir Provincial Security Directorate Anti-Terror Department upon order of İzmir Chief Prosecution Terror and Organized Crimes Bureau, searches have been conducted in 32 addresses including three foundations and one HDP district representative office.
In the searches carried out approximately by 500 police officers, 19 persons have been taken into custody including HDP Buca District Chair C.A, Konak Chair M.K and other district administrators. (AS/DG)