Turkish court has arrested 16 suspects and released four others pending trial as part of the investigation into the Kurdish Communities Union (KCK), an alleged political offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Today`s Zaman reported
In simultaneous raids in Agrı, Igdır, Bitlis, Diyarbakır, İzmir and İstanbul on Wednesday, police detained 20 suspects who were believed to be part of the KCK.
Assistant Mayor of Agrı's Dogubayazıt district and Agrı provincial chairman of pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) were also among the arrested suspects.
After interrogation in police department, the suspects were referred to the court. The court arrested 16 suspects, including the assistant mayor of Dogubayazıt and BDP's Agrı provincial chairman.
The suspects are accused of organizing illegal demonstrations and terror acts, recruiting members of the terrorist organization, organizing attacks against security forces and public buildings.
The court also released four suspects pending trial. Police seized during the operations large amount of documents related to the KCK, digital materials, banners that could be used in illegal demonstrations, a gun and 6,400 medicine.
Turkish police have recently stepped up operations against the KCK. The KCK investigation began in December 2009, and a large number of Kurdish politicians, including several BDP officials, have been detained in connection with the case.
The suspects stand accused of various crimes, including membership in a terrorist organization, aiding and abetting a terrorist organization and attempting to destroy the country's unity and integrity. The detainees include mayors and municipal officials from the BDP, which has said the investigation is the government's way of suppressing its politicians and denies any links between the suspects and terrorist organizations.