Kurdish artist Emel Çiftçi arrested while receiving treatment for cancer

Kurdish artist Emel Çiftçi, who went to hospital in Diyarbakir for treatment, has been taken into custody after an arrest warrant was issued against her. Emel Çiftçi was taken into custody as a result of an investigation launched in Ankara and Batman. The artist was questioned on charges of “membership of a terrorist organization” and “leading an organization” because of her cultural and artistic activities. Çiftçi was remanded in custody as the judge found that there were “grounds to suspect escape and concealment of evidence”.

Çitçi’s medical reports were presented by her lawyers, who said the artist had been diagnosed with uterine cancer and needed emergency surgery. Despite the fact that Çitçi was being treated in a state hospital and had a permanent residence, the court decided to send her to prison. Çitçi also suffers from a thyroid disorder. Although she was suffering from health problems, the artist was transferred to Diyarbakir women’s prison.

The Mesopotamia Cultural Center (MKM) reacted on its social media account to the arrest of Kurdish musician Emel Çiftçi, who was detained while in hospital for treatment. MKM demanded the immediate release of the imprisoned artist Emel Çiftçi. The statement said: “The artist Emel Çiftçi, who represents the free Kurdish women’s identity in art and has made great efforts especially for the development of Kurdish art, should be released immediately”.