URFA - Members of the Şenyaşar family survivors protesting for justice in front of the courthouse in Urfa have been attacked by police.

Emine Şenyaşar and her son Ferit Şenyaşar have been protesting for justice in front of the entrance of the courthouse in Urfa for 358 days. Relatives and bodyguards of AKP MP Ibrahim Halil Yıldız had murdered Emine Şenyaşar's husband and two of her sons on 14 June 2018. Instead of the perpetrators, one of her sons is in custody since.

The Şenyaşar family's vigil has repeatedly been the target of repression, criminalisation and attacks. On Tuesday, the police again tried to prevent the vigil and classified the erection of posters as a "violation of the law of assembly". In response to police threats, Emine Şenyaşar replied: "My son is in prison. Why don't you throw us in jail too?"

The family said that they protested in front of the entrance of the Antep District Court and the Criminal Court on Monday and there were no problems. While they announced that they would continue the action in Urfa, the police replied in a threatening tone, "Are you leaving or not?". Ferit Şenyaşar stated in the face of the police threats, "If three people from their family had been murdered, would they just sit at home?"

As the family continued their action, the police tried to remove everyone who was in the courtyard of the courthouse from the area without giving any reason. Emine Şenyaşar then protested with Kurdish lament songs.

A journalist from the Mezopotamya news agency who was present was prevented from documenting the situation. The police stated that any recordings were forbidden. Furthermore, it was not allowed to be on the court premises without permission. The police contacted the public prosecutor's office to obtain an official "decision" to evacuate the area. However, the Şenyaşar family continues its protest.