JINHA

ÊLIH – As 27 protestors jailed for an anti-war action testified in court, their fellow activists held a sit-in for their freedom outside the courthouse in Sason, Turkey.

Over the weekend, clashes broke out between Turkish soldiers and Kurdish guerrillas in the Sason district of Batman province, Turkey. A group of civilians headed for the area of the clashes, hoping to serve as “human shields” and preventing further bloodshed, but Turkish soldiers surrounded and detained them.

Dicle News Agency reporter Engin Eren and the majority of the human shield demonstrators were released, but courts have charged 27 of the demonstrators with “membership in an illegal organizaton.”

Today at the Sason courthouse, human shield demonstrators testified before the court while other participants in the action maintained a sit-in outside. The protestors are demanding the release of the 27, among whom are both co-mayors of the city of Batman (Gülistan Akel and Sabri Özdemir). The demonstrators ululated, clapped and chanted slogans, including calling for the resignation of the provincial governor.

Meanwhile, two more individuals have been detained while trying to reach Sason.

(za/gc/cm)