Sit-in protest for Can Atalay

The Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) has begun a sit-in protest in front of the Istanbul Courthouse until the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court issues a decision on the file of Hatay MP Can Atalay.

SIT-IN PROTEST HAS BEGUN

Lawyers for Can Atalay, who was elected as a Hatay MP while in prison and for whom the Constitutional Court has ordered release for the second time, protested the fact that the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court panel has not implemented the release order since 10:30 AM. The TİP delegation chanted slogans saying, "The people of Hatay want their MP."

TİP Spokesperson and Istanbul MP Sera Kadıgil stated, "They are still inside, they have locked themselves in. Despite two clear Constitutional provisions, the 3 judges sitting in the 13th High Criminal Court have placed private security in front of them in the corridor behind me, and they have locked themselves in their room for 8 hours. The clerk has no information, and we have no information. After 5 months, after 5 days, the members of the 13th High Criminal Court are cowardly continuing to commit the crime of restricting liberty. This is called cowardice; there is no other name for it. One should feel a little shame; as a lawyer, I am ashamed," she said.

Following this, TİP members who organized a protest in front of the courthouse announced that they would continue the sit-in until the decision regarding Atalay is implemented.