Response to Bahçeli from Selahattin Demirtaş's lawyer

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli used the phrase "his release would be beneficial" in his assessment following the European Court of Human Rights' ruling on the violation of rights regarding the detention of former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş.

Demirtaş's lawyer, Mahsuni Karaman, responded to Bahçeli's words by saying, "We also say it would be beneficial" he said.

Speaking to Ilke TV, Karaman reminded that they had filed a release application for his client and stated that the process is closely linked to developments in Syria. Karaman made the following assessment:

"The issue started in Syria. It will actually end in Syria. Or, to put it more specifically, the issue actually started in Rojava. I think it will conclude with the Rojava issue."

"BAHÇELİ HAD CONTACT WITH DEMİRTAŞ"

Stating that the MHP has played an influential role throughout the process of Demirtaş's imprisonment, Karaman also reminded that Bahçeli had indirect contact with Demirtaş in the past:

"We know that they have been closely involved with the issue of Mr. Demirtaş's imprisonment since the beginning of this process. As you already know, and as it has been reflected in the press, there has been indirect communication with Mr. Demirtaş from time to time. In the past, there were even times when he had direct phone conversations with him."

Karaman announced that following the finalization of the ECHR ruling, they filed an application with the 22nd Criminal Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Justice this morning.

Stating that there are two paths before the appellate court, he spoke as follows:

"The appellate chamber can do two things here. First, it can immediately release Mr. Demirtaş and the other imprisoned politicians based on this finalized ECHR ruling, or it can immediately take the file for substantive review."

Lawyer Karaman also underlined that the Constitutional Court must evaluate the application that has not yet been concluded:

"This imprisonment has now turned into ill-treatment in accordance with Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights."

Arguing that Demirtaş has been held in prison since 2014 due to his political stance during the Kobani process, Karaman said, "At that time, the issue was defending the conditions for Kurds to live freely in Syria" he stated.

Evaluating Bahçeli's latest statement within the framework of regional developments, Karaman said, "Things are going well in Syria, and there is progress in the talks between the SDF and the central government. This situation could also reflect positively on Turkey. Bahçeli's words should be interpreted in this light."