Gendarmerie Detains Four Villagers Protesting Fish Farm in Rize

Villagers in Rize's Balıkçı Köyü faced intervention from gendarmerie forces on Tuesday after maintaining a "protest vigil" for approximately three months against a cage fish farming project. The project, initiated by Kuzuoğlu Grup, is opposed by locals who fear it will disrupt their livelihoods dependent on traditional sea fishing.

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The actions taken were unlawful.

The protest escalated when the company began placing empty cages in the sea near the village harbor. In response, villagers set up tents and began their vigil. The gendarmerie's intervention occurred early Tuesday morning, resulting in the detention of four villagers: Hacer Kanbay, Ahmet Tafralı, İbrahim Oğuz, and Muhammet Yağcı. Simultaneously, cage materials belonging to Kuzuoğlu Grup were brought to the vicinity of the harbor.

Local politician Tahsin Ocaklı of the YENİ Party, who was informed by the fishermen, arrived at the scene. He declared the gendarmerie's actions unlawful and stated his intention to join the fishermen's vigil. Ocaklı also mentioned his inability to reach the Rize Governor or relevant ministry officials.

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Further attempts to access the protest area were made by Günay Karafazlı, the Rize Representative of the Human Rights Association, who intended to document the situation. Gendarmerie initially blocked Karafazlı, leading to a verbal dispute that was mediated by MP Ocaklı. Karafazlı was eventually allowed to reach the women's vigil area. Additionally, İskender Bayhan, an EMEP Istanbul MP, and Ercüment Şahin Çervatoğlu, the Mayor of Fındıklı, arrived to support the protestors. The situation remains tense with villagers and gendarmerie present at the harbor.

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