MESOPOTAMIA AGENCY journalist Zeynep Durgut was among scores arrested in police raids across Turkey targeting Kurdish institutions ahead of Tuesday’s anniversary of the capture of Abdullah Ocalan.

Known by supporters as “the international conspiracy” against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader, the date is usually marked by protests demanding his freedom.  

But police and soldiers swooped in raids across several cities, hauling in politicians, rights activists and journalists. Arrests were made in Adana, Mersin, and Cizre — where Ms Durgut was detained — in the largely Kurdish south-east of the country.

The reasons for the detentions have not been made clear, with many being interrogated at police and security headquarters. A number of people, including Serkan Sahin, who was detained in Mersin, have started a hunger strike in protest at their treatment.

Journalists at Mesopotamia Agency are frequently targeted by the Turkish state: more than 20 of its associated reporters are now believed to be behind bars.

Further arrests and raids were expected today.