90-year-old joins mothers' sit-in against PKK terror

By Hasan Namli

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AA) - A 90-year-old mother on Thursday joined a sit-in protest against the PKK terror group in Turkey's southeastern Diyarbakir province to get her son back.

The mother has joined the protest, continuing since Sept. 3, 2019, on its 430th day outside the office of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). The protesting families blame HDP for having a role in their children's abduction by the PKK. The Turkish government also accuses the party of having links to the terror group.

Coming from eastern Bingol province, Cemile Kosar, 90, said her son Recep was deceived by HDP members and taken to the mountains to be recruited by the terror group.

Kosar said her son was 24-year-old when kidnapped six years ago.

"They kidnapped my child. HDP took my son away, I want him back from HDP," she said.

Recep was abducted during elections, she said, adding that he had plans to go to Istanbul with his brother to work there.

"Whatever happened did happen during that election period. I have searched everywhere but could not find him," she said, calling on her son to return home.

Offenders in Turkey linked to terrorist groups who surrender are eligible for possible sentence reductions under a repentance law.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

*Writing by Sena Guler in Ankara