14 academicians detained over pro-PKK propaganda

As many as 14 academicians who published a statement accusing the government of carrying out a massacre in southeastern Turkey were detained, while the detention process for other seven academicians continues in Kocaeli province.

Simultaneously in Giresun province, one academician was dismissed on charges of creating pro-PKK propaganda.

Also, the houses of three academicians were searched as a part of an investigation against the group of academicians blaming government for a massacre in Bolu province.

In Gaziantep province the officials opened an investigation into four academicians who issued a manifesto on the military's operation against PKK terrorists.

The academicians in several provinces of Turkey were among those 1,128 people comprising the 'Group of Academics for Peace' who issued a manifesto on the military's operation against PKK terrorists, accusing the state of violating human rights and “causing a massacre."

The group was harshly criticized by Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu on Thursday, for not including a word about the PKK terrorism that has been killing civilians, including women and children as well as security officials in the area.

PM criticized the academics for using provocative language, adding the statement could not be considered freedom of thought.

Before Davutoğlu, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli also reacted to the statements of the group.

The statement of the academicians followed the military's efforts in the southeastern Turkey, aiming at fighting against the PKK to rescue cities from militants by declaring curfews and launching operations in the region.

The PKK – considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU – resumed its armed campaign in late July.

More than 200 members of the security forces were martyred and over 3,100 PKK terrorists were killed in 2015 alone.