Kidnapped 20 Customs Officers Return Turkey

20 customs officers kidnapped by Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Hakkari and Van provinces in eastern Turkey in August were released this morning. 

Human Rights Association (İHD) Chairperson Öztürk Özdoğan told bianet that İHD made a call last week; a delegation including 3 members from İHD and a person from Şırnak Bar Association went to Northern Iraq by crossing Habur Border Gate lead by İHD Vice Chairperson Raci Bilici.

İHD delegation was waiting for proper conditions since September 4 to take kidnapped customs officers back. The delegation and customs officers are returning Turkey today.

What happened?

10 customs officers performing their duties at Üzüm Border Gate in Hakkari province were captured by PKK members on August 10, 2015. 11 customs officers working at Kapıköy Border Gate in Van province near Iran border and a chauffeur were abducted by PKK on August 21 after the end of the shift. A female customs officer and chauffeur had been released two days later. (AB/ÇT/BD)

 Click here to read the article in Turkish