Mr Birdal was initially approached at his home by men in plain clothes. He refused to open the door to them and alerted some of his colleagues from the Human Rights Association. Shortly afterwards, Nuh Mete Yuksel, the State Security Prosecutor arrived with a search warrant and a warrant for Mr Bridal's arrest.

During the search documents pertaining to human rights work and to the human rights association were seized, but nothing of a criminal nature was recovered. Controversy surrounds the event as Mr Birdal has not committed an offence in Turkey, and night time searches are banned under Turkish law.

An official of the Human Rights Association of Turkey said that these actions aimed at "silencing and blocking those who defend human rights" , but reiterated that war was not the only solution to the Kurdish problem and that they along with others were willing to continue to pay a heavy price for peace.