BAF President İsrafil Erbil was taken into custody at Istanbul Airport

The British Alevi Federation(BAF) Chairman İsrafil Erbil was taken into custody at Istanbul Airport on Saturday, December 19.

Travelling to Turkey to take part in the 42nd Maras Massacre commemoration event, Erbil was taken into custody upon arrival.

In a video shared on BAF’s social media page, Ebril said a decision to arrest was made following his speech made at last year’s 41st Maras Massacre commemoration event and for this reason was taken into custody.

He said was held close to 4 hours then released but believes the case will be ongoing.

He thanked his lawyers, friends BAF and all Alevi community and leaders that have shown support him as well HDP and CHP MPs.

Ebril added that he was asked if the speech at the 41st  Maras Massacre commemoration event belonged to him or not and he said: “The speech is mine and I still hold the same belief and when I go to this year’s commemoration on Monday I will repeat the same speech…”

In a post by BAF they said: ” We are deeply troubled by the charges filed against our Chairman #IsrafilErbil under #Article301 and #Article216. Turkey must drop charges and respect freedom of speech & peaceful assembly. We will #StandWithIsrafilErbil and continue to demand #Justice4Alevis”