Assyrian human rights activist detained in Turkey
A human rights activist has been detained in Turkey since February on charges of participating in an "armed organization."
Sawo Oshana Ide, an Assyrian who has been jailed since Feb. 18, was "abstractly accused of doing research in accordance with the objectives of an organization and forming lists about ammunition," his lawyer Erkan Metin said, according to Gatestone Institute.
The charge can keep him in prison for at least five to 10 years. However, the authorities did not specify which organization Ide was being accused to be a part of.
The accusations were based on photos seen in his computer, some of which were taken during the campaigns of Erol Dora, the Assyrian MP. There were also photos of the Kurdish YPG members, and also of the commemoration of the death of a Kurdish politican named Sakine Cansiz's death, Metin explained.
He said notes that were found in Ide's computer also led to the charge, such as those about immigrant smuggling, Yazidis and Assyrians in Iraq. He also had some research notes about Syria and writings about his visit to the bishop at Kocanis church.
Metin said Ide also had "an outline drawing of a ruined church in Hakkari, as well as his notes about the weapons stockpile of the Assyrian forces he received during his visit in Iraq."
On Feb. 17, Turkish security personnel raided Ide's apartment in Midyat. They confiscated some of his belongings, including his notes and his computer, and took Ide and his wife for interrogation. His wife was later released but Ide was jailed. The authorities said he was "collaborating" with a terror group, according to Assyria TV.
"Sawo loves his people," Metin said, "and researched their problems....His detention might aim to intimidate Assyrian rights advocates in Turkey."
Metin said the conflicts in the Turkey's southeastern region have increased since June last year, and state security has put greater pressure on Assyrians.
"The fears and concerns of Assyrians have skyrocketed in the face of the jihadist terror attacks against Assyrians in the Middle East, the rise of the anti-secular policies across the country and the policies of the AKP government that have paved the way for that," Metin said.
