DEM Party statement on the release of Demirtaş and Yüksekdağ
The DEM Party is calling for the release of imprisoned former HDP Co-Chairs Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ. Making a statement on behalf of the party, Deputy Co-Chair Öztürk Türkdoğan said, "We expect Mr. Demirtaş to be released in the review to be held next week."
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The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has issued a new ruling regarding the cases concerning the imprisonment of Selahattin Demirtaş. The decision, titled "Selahattin Demirtaş v. Turkey (No. 4)," was announced on July 8, and a human rights violation against Turkey was identified. Following this decision, the DEM Party Law and Human Rights Commission filed a request for the release of former HDP Co-Chairs Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, as well as several Central Executive Committee (MYK) members who are being tried while in custody in the Kobani Case. The request was submitted to the Ankara 22nd High Criminal Court.
"THIS DECISION IS DIFFERENT"
Deputy Co-Chair Öztürk Türkdoğan made statements regarding the application, noting that this ECHR decision differs from previous ones. Türkdoğan said, "We expect Mr. Demirtaş to be released in the review to be held next week. The court could do the following: In terms of procedural law, instead of the unofficial Turkish translation we provided, it could request a certified Turkish translation of the ECHR decision from the Ministry of Justice. That might cause a loss of a few days. That is understandable. As soon as the court reads this translation, they must release Demirtaş. Since the grounds for release regarding Demirtaş are also valid for the other detainees, they must release them as well."
"SIGNIFICANT TIMING"
Pointing out that the period in which the ECHR decision was announced is noteworthy, Türkdoğan stated that this timing is being interpreted in various ways in different circles. Sharing his assessment, Türkdoğan said, "These situations regarding detention are urgent matters. Therefore, many circles are making various insinuations. Since the ECHR decision regarding the process happened to coincide exactly with this week, we are obliged to do this. Of course, we were already always demanding their release, but the timing of the European Court of Human Rights decision worked in our favor. As lawyers, we naturally want to take advantage of that timing."