Call from CHP to the Turkish Parliament: Demand for justice for Esila Ayık

Republican People's Party (CHP) deputies have applied to the Presidency of the Turkish Parliament's Human Rights Investigation Commission, requesting that Esila Ayık, who was arrested for carrying a sign reading "Dictator Erdoğan" at an event in Kadıköy attended by thousands of university students, be tried without arrest, citing her health problems and the obstruction of her right to education. 

The application stated, "The student, who has no suspicion of flight or evidence tampering, is not being tried for catalog crimes, has a fixed residence, and is studying on a scholarship in Belgium, must attend her upcoming exams. According to Court of Cassation and human rights rulings, the expression 'dictator' falls under the scope of harsh criticism and does not constitute the crime of insult."

CHP members of the Turkish Parliament's Human Rights Investigation Commission, Diyarbakır Deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu, Istanbul Deputy Enis Berberoğlu, İzmir Deputy Rıfat Nalbantoğlu, Kocaeli Deputy Harun Özgür Yıldızlı, Şanlıurfa Deputy Mahmut Tanal, and Ankara Deputy Tekin Bingöl, filed the application with the Commission Presidency on behalf of university student Esila Ayık, who is being held in prison despite suffering from chronic heart and kidney disease.

"SHE WAS HOSPITALIZED MULTIPLE TIMES, HER CONDITION DOCUMENTED BY MEDICAL REPORTS"

The application, which draws attention to Esila Ayık's health status and student life, included the following statements:

"Esila Ayık, who attended the Kadıköy Youth Solidarity event on April 8, 2025, was taken into custody at her friend's house on the night of April 8 to 9, despite being unaware of the statement, on the grounds that she picked up a 'Dictator Erdoğan' banner that had fallen to the ground and took a photo with it. She was referred to court the next day with a request for arrest and placed in the Bakırköy Closed Women's Prison. The young woman, who has congenital heart anomaly and chronic nephrotic syndrome, saw her health deteriorate in the crowded and unhygienic ward and was hospitalized multiple times; her aortic insufficiency has progressed, and her entire condition has been documented with medical reports.

The student, who has no suspicion of flight or evidence tampering, is not being tried for catalog crimes, has a fixed residence, and is studying on a scholarship in Belgium, must attend her upcoming exams. According to Court of Cassation and human rights rulings, the expression 'dictator' falls under the scope of harsh criticism and does not constitute the crime of insult. The objection to the arrest has not been concluded due to a lack of jurisdiction. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the conditions for Esila Ayık to be tried without arrest and to continue her education."

News Source: 12punto