World Bulletin / News Desk

The Ankara 12th High Criminal Court has detained 22 members of the Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (KESK) for their alleged links to the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK).

Within the scope of a decision taken by the Ankara Specially Authorized Prosecutor's Office on Monday, dozens of people were taken into custody and 34 were referred to court for arrest. The court later ordered 22 of the suspects be arrested, pending trial, and released 12.

The investigation into the KCK, which prosecutors say is an umbrella organization for the militant PKK and other affiliated groups, started in December 2009 and a large number of suspected KCK members, including several mayors from the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), have been detained.