VAN - The families of the 9 Kurdish refugees from Iran, who have been held captive by the FSA for 115 days, stated that no country helped them and said that Turkey was responsible for the situation their relatives in.

 

9 Kurdish refugees, who were detained in Istanbul on August 22 and handed over to the Free Syrian Army (FSA), after legally coming to Turkey from Pave city in Iran's Kermanshah province, have been held captive for 115 days. Mobin Veledbeygi, Mesud Hayderî, Bahman Shadruvan, Siyaveş Paksereşt, Afşar Rustemi, Bahmen Şadravan, Hidayet Ruxzadî, Said Ahmadi and Fardin Dervişpur, who were detained in Istanbul, Beykoz, although they are registered Iranian citizens, were sent to Antep before they were taken into custody by the police, and then they were taken to the Syrian city of Azez and handed over to the FSA.

 

FAMILIES WERE ASKED FOR RANSOM

 

The families of the refugees made several attempts to learn the fate of their relatives, but they did not receive a positive response from any of their contacts in Iran or Syria. Families were able to make a one minute phone call with their relatives 56 days ago. Families stated that after their meeting, their relatives were subjected to heavy pressure and psychological torture. Ransom has been asked from families, who have been called three times by an unidentified person or persons so far, for the release of their relatives. An official, who is an intermediary regarding the refugees, conveyed to the families after some calls that "their relatives will be released in exchange for the release of the FSA members held by Assad, and no other negotiations will be made." Families, whose attempts in Iran, the Federated Kurdistan Region and Turkey have failed, will take action in front of the Turkish Embassy in Tehran tomorrow.

 

ONE MINUTE PHONE CALL

 

Pointing out that 9 people were under arrest despite it has been a long time, sister of Afşar Rustemî, spokesperson of the families, Raşin Rustemî demanded the release of their relatives. Guessing that they are being held in a prison close to Turkish border, Rustemî said: "I spoke to my brother 65 days ago for a minute. He cried all the time. He told that the place they were held is cold, the food was awful and they are subjected to psychological torture. We haven't heard from them again." Stating that Turkey, Syria or Iran does not take any steps because they are Kurdish, Rustemî said: "They should make an explanation and tell how they are doing. This is a violation of human rights. They wouldn't be here if we were not Kurdish. They called us over and over again asking for ransom. We don't know who they are but we know that they are with the FSA. They also asked for prisoner exchange. They wanted some FSA prisoners to be released in exchange for our relatives. Turkey is responsible for this situation. These people came to Turkey with their passports. They are Iranian citizens. Why didn't Turkey put them in a prison in TUrkey if they wanted them to get arrested? Why did they handed them over to the FSA? They must be released immediately. We are calling on to the politicians and human's rights associations in Turkey."

 

MA / Adnan Bilen