Message from Demirtaş to Arınç in prison: 'I am not considering candidacy, I would like to meet with Erdoğan'

Details of the visit made by former Parliament Speaker and AKP member Bülent Arınç to Edirne Prison have been shared with the public.

Arınç disclosed to Independent Türkçe the statements made during his meeting with former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş, who has been in prison for 9 years.

DETAILS OF THE VISIT SHARED

In the assessment provided by Arınç, it was stated that Selahattin Demirtaş has no intention of running for office, and that Demirtaş expressed a desire to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Arınç stated that this request from Demirtaş contains a message specifically regarding political processes.

RELEASE HAD BEEN ON THE AGENDA FOLLOWING THE ECHR RULING

Following the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rejecting Turkey's appeal against the rights violation ruling regarding Demirtaş, the release of the former HDP Co-Chair had become a subject of discussion once again. MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli also commented on the ruling, stating, "The release of Demirtaş would be beneficial."

“I WILL NOT CONSIDER CANDIDACY FROM NOW ON”

Providing information about the content of the meeting, Arınç reported that Demirtaş clearly conveyed his stance on politics and violence. The statements Demirtaş conveyed to Arınç were reported as follows:

“Setting aside past events, I have never been a supporter of terrorism. I chose politics; I did not consider or encourage violence. I was not involved in any murders during the Kobani events for which I am accused. I do not hold grudges. I may have responsibility for the words and actions of my friends, but personally, I did not take part in any of these events. From now on, I have no thoughts of candidacy or politics. However, I would like to do whatever I can for the sake of my country.”

It was stated that the message Demirtaş wishes to convey to President Erdoğan is within this framework.

“YASİN BÖRÜ IS A DISTANT RELATIVE OF MINE”

Arınç's statements also included Demirtaş's remarks regarding the Suruç and Kobani processes. It was reported that Demirtaş shared the following assessment regarding the Suruç events:

“I was acquitted of the murder charge. My family came to Elazığ from Bingöl. Yasin Börü is also from Bingöl. We have a distant kinship. Therefore, it is impossible for me not to feel pain and sorrow regarding these events. I was not aware of the actions taken and did not contribute to any of them. Only one tweet is mentioned, but there is a significant time difference between that tweet and the events. Therefore, it is not right for us to be blamed.”