The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has pronounced its judgement on the former Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş. The court concluded that Demirtaş who has been in pre trial detention for over four years, has been kept in prison for political reasons.
“Demirtaş should be released from prison immediately” ruled the ECHR.
Attorneys for Selahattin Demirtaş have applied for his release following the ECHR decision.
Attorney Mahsuni Karaman said on Twitter that they have requested that the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office release Selahattin Demirtaş, as the ECHR decision was “final and binding.”
Aihm Büyük Daire kararının kesin ve bağlayıcı olduğu vurgusu ile Sn. Demirtaş’ın tahliye edilmesi ve soruşturma dosyasında takipsizlik kararı verilmesi talebinde bulunulmuştur. https://t.co/8635xYqG8y
— Mahsuni Karaman (@av_mkaraman) December 23, 2020
A second arrest warrant had been issued against Demirtaş and the former HDP Co-Chair Figen Yüksekdağ on 20 September 2019 in relation to the so called “Kobane investigation” initiated by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Following the detention of the two HDP Co Chairs, the prosecutor’s office also issued arrest warrants to detain numerous other HDP politicians one year later on September 25.
Within the scope of the Kobane investigation, 27 politicians, as well as Demirtaş and Yüksekdağ, were also arrested including Kars Municipality Co-mayor Ayhan Bilgen and former law makers Emine Ayna, Ayla Akat Ata, and İbrahim Binici who were also arrested.
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