The Justice and Development Party (AKP) has denied the harassment and strip-searching of 30 university students, while an investigation into the matter was launched by Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu. The HDP Women’s Assembly reacted against AKP statements which denied the incidents.

On 31 August, 30 detained university students were subjected to unlawful strip-searches by the Uşak Police Department.

AKP deputies denied the claims of harassment and also targeted Gergerlioğlu. AKP group deputy chairperson Özlem Zengin said to Euronews, “I have never seen a deputy such as Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu terrorise the parliament like this. I do not at all believe that there have been naked strip-searches, there is no such thing”.

HDP deputy Meral Danış Beştaş responded to Zengin’s words during budget talks in the general assembly of parliament. Beştaş called on Zengin to apologise to Gergerlioğlu.

Following Beştaş’s speech, AKP deputy Cahit Özkan spoke and demanded a document proving the harassment. Another HDP deputy, Hüda Kaya, reacted saying “Is a document proving strip-searching possible? Are strip-searches filmed on camera?”

Uşak governor Funda Karabıyık denied that strip-searching took place in the Uşak Police Department. Moreover, she filed a criminal complaint against Gergerlioğlu.