Erdal, a 32-year-old PhD candidate at Carleton University and a permanent resident of Canada, is now being held at a detention centre in the Turkish capital, Ankara. Erdal's PhD research focuses on youth-led social movements in Europe, including in Turkey, focused on the stories of young activists about their involvement in social movements, Carleton University said in a statement. Erdal was a member of the youth arm of the People's Democratic Party (HDP), a pro-Kurdish, legal political party in Turkey. "Cihan's research is on youth-led social movements in Europe, including in Turkey, focused on the stories of young activists about their involvement in social movements. Turkish troops patrol in Hakkari province, southeastern Turkey in June 2010 where Turkish troops and Kurdish fighters clashed.

Source: CBC News September 28, 2020 07:52 UTC