Artist Pınar Aydınlar released

The first hearing of the case against artist Pınar Aydınlar, who was detained and arrested on February 21 as part of the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) investigation on charges of "membership in an armed organization" and "spreading propaganda for an organization," was held at the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court.

"THEY ENTERED THE ROOM WHERE MY DAUGHTER WENT TO GET DRESSED WITH A CAMERA"

In her defense, Aydınlar stated that a raid was conducted on her home, that a gun was held to her head, that her son was forced to the ground, and that they entered the room where her daughter went to get dressed with a camera.

Aydınlar's defense is as follows:

"I want to start with this: On February 18, in my home where I live alone with my two children, I saw that they conducted an operation involving special operations teams, where they did not even allow me to put on my clothes, held a gun to my forehead, and treated my son in the same way.

In the same way, they entered the room where my daughter went to get dressed with cameras. I was subjected to a major raid. I have never failed to go to testify even once; I am a person who can be reached very easily whenever called. I am a folk music artist of 25 years who has given hundreds of concerts in this country for 25 years. I was detained in my pajamas in front of our apartment superintendent after they entered my home at night; a very serious character assassination took place. There are so many police stations near my house; I have no connection to any cover-up."

"MY LOVED ONES DIED, SIRRI SÜREYYA ÖNDER DIED"

"There was only one question asked to me. My name appears in a file during a search at the HDK building. It is mentioned as a Kağıthane mayoral candidate. I was not a candidate; I am not an HDK member. However, may it be a cycle, I had entered the elections as the HDP's Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayoral candidate together with Sırrı Süreyya Önder. I am very sad for our brother Sırrı; I could not attend his funeral.

My loved ones died, Sırrı Süreyya Önder died, Volkan Konak died, Edip Akbayram died, and I could not go and bid them farewell. My right to vote and be elected is being questioned. I am here as a result of my name appearing in a digital record; I am not an HDK member. I was an HDP Istanbul Mayoral candidate. There is nothing outside of these. HDK is already a legal party; I did not have such a connection with them."

"I AM STRUGGLING THROUGH ART"

"The Yeni Yaşam newspaper is a legal newspaper, and I have not even commented on their posts. I have come this far with my own efforts. I am struggling through art. I raised my two children this way. I have been in detention for three months; my detention is unjust and unlawful. There are things I have not been able to do for three months. I am a woman who raises two children alone. I lost my profession. I have not been able to perform concerts for three months. I do not know anything other than my profession. My bağlama, my saz, my words—I have nothing else. It never crossed my mind that I would be tried for membership in an organization. I request my release.”

PROSECUTOR REQUESTED RELEASE

The prosecutor requested the release of Pınar Aydınlar with a travel ban.

"THERE IS NO MATTER TO BE INVESTIGATED"

Aydınlar's lawyer, Murat Arksak, said, "As of the stage the file has reached, there is no matter to be investigated. We request that the client be acquitted."

RELEASE DECISION FOR AYDINLAR

Finally, the court ruled for the release of artist Pınar Aydınlar.