28.01.2026 12:40
A nurse, I.A., who participated in the 'hair braiding' trend that started on social media after a woman affiliated with the terrorist organization YPG/SDG had her hair cut by the Syrian army, was detained. After her statement, Nurse I.A. was released and in a new statement, she said, "I stated in my testimony that I am from Diyarbakır and Kurdish, that I do not speak Kurdish, that my mother tongue is Zaza, and that I was subjected to this treatment for this reason."
After a woman affiliated with the terrorist organization YPG/SDG had her hair cut by the Syrian army, members of the DEM Party initiated a "hair braiding" trend on social media. One of the participants in the trend was nurse I.A., who works at Kocaeli Gebze Fatih State Hospital. I.A. shared moments of braiding her hair on her social media account with the note "Maybe not the same hair, but the same pain, the same feeling" along with a Kurdish song.
"I DON'T SPEAK KURDISH," SHE SAID
After the post, nurse I.A. was detained and stated in her testimony that she regretted her actions and mentioned that there were also pro-government posts. I.A., who identified as Zaza and stated that she did not speak Kurdish, expressed that she did not know the meaning of the song lyrics. After her procedures, a travel ban was imposed on the nurse.
ALLEGATION OF "REVERSE HANDCUFFS"
After her release, I.A. stated that she was detained in reverse handcuffs in the evening hours and that a search was conducted at her home. The nurse, who said that a decision was made for her to be tried without detention, announced that she had been suspended from her job.
Here are the words of that nurse who made headlines in Turkey;
"Recently, a judicial and administrative investigation has been opened against me due to the defamation and lynching campaign initiated against me solely for braiding my hair through social media accounts and news channels.
As part of the judicial investigation, I was detained in reverse handcuffs in the evening hours, and my home was searched afterward. During the judicial process, it was decided that I would be tried without detention under judicial control conditions and with a travel ban.
As part of the administrative investigation, I have been suspended from my duties as of January 25, 2026.
During this period, I would like to announce that I will file a criminal complaint with the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office through my brother, who is also my lawyer, against everyone who has made baseless publications and shares about me, who has made death threats, and who has insulted and slandered me. I will also donate any material and moral compensation obtained from this to street animals.
Now, the same spineless individuals continue to share baseless and false statements related to my testimony to gain followers, increase views, and boost engagement at my expense.
In my testimony, I stated that I do not accept the accusations against me, that I am sensitive to women's rights and femicides, that braiding hair does not constitute a crime according to the Turkish Penal Code and Article 657 of the Civil Servants Law, that there is an attempt to create a perception against me, that I am a civil servant, from Diyarbakır, and Kurdish, that I do not speak Kurdish, and that my mother tongue is Zaza, and that I have been subjected to this treatment for this reason.
I feel indebted to thank everyone who has been by my side without discrimination, whether they are politicians, lawyers, artists, expatriates, Kurds, Turks, or Alevis, and who have either called or sent messages during this process.
I embrace with love everyone whose hair may not be the same but who shares the same pain and feeling with me during this process."