EU raises alarm over Turkey's detention of academics and rights activist

The European Union voiced alarmed over Turkey's detention of several academics and rights activist on Friday, calling for their swift release.

"The detention this morning in Turkey of several prominent academics and civil society representatives is alarming," the European External Action Service said in a statement.

"Repeated detentions of critical voices and the continued widespread pressure on civil society representatives run counter to the Turkish government's declared commitment to human rights," said the EEAS, whose head Federica Mogherini is the EU's foreign policy chief.

"Turkey needs to release immediately all those detained without due process."  

(With inputs from agencies.)