Mr. Nihat Cakar
DGM Bassavcisi
Devlet Guvenlik Mahkemesi
Diyarbakir, Turkey

Dear Sir:

I am writing to express my concern for the safety of a 16-year-old high school student and a number of his friends who are believed to be detained in police headquarters in Diyarbakir.

Imran Akdogan was at home in Diyarbakir with his older sister and her children when police arrived on 9 December 1997. For the following two days, the police reportedly occupied their flat, monitoring all visitors and incoming telephone calls, and not allowing the family to go outside. When police left on 11 December they took Imran Akdogan with them. It is assumed that the young man has been held in police custody since then, presumably at Diyarbakir Police Headquarters. Reportedly, some of Imran Akdogan's friends were also detained on or around 11 December.

If Imran Akdogan and his friends are in fact being held by police, I urge you to ensure that police acknowledge their detention, if they have not already done so. Please see that immediate steps are taken to confirm exactly where these young people are being held, and that their families and lawyers are notified. I trust that you will also ensure that they are not subjected to any form of torture or ill-treatment while in custody.

The reason for Imran Akdogan’s detention, as well as that of his friends, is unclear to me. I would be most interested in being informed of any specific charges of wrongdoing that may be brought against them.

Respectfully yours,