SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Security forces in Erbil expelled a Kurdish family from Turkey on Tuesday, the father said on Wednesday.
Hasan Kecar, father of two children, told reporters that they were detained after they visited the residence directorate in Erbil to receive residence permission.
The family, who are from Culamerg in southeastern Turkey, has lived in Erbil city for seven years.
Kecar, member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), said he was imprisoned for 15 years in Turkey due to political reasons. He came to the Kurdistan Region after his release.
“We have had no issue. I just did my work daily and I am an HDP member,” Kecar told reporters in Sulaimani.
Kecar said the security forces took them to Degala checkpoint between Erbil and Sulaimani after they were detained.
He added that they visited Sulaimani city for shelter.
“Erbil and Sulaimani have no difference for us,” Kecar said he had told the security forces when they expelled them.
“They are different for us,” he cited the security forces as saying.
Authorities have yet to make a statement about the family’s expulsion.
