CHP deputy Mehmet Haberal takes oath two years after election

ANKARA

Haberal was elected as a deputy from prison for the CHP June 12, 2011 and took his oath on Oct. 2.

The main opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) Zonguldak deputy Mehmet Haberal, who was recently released from prison, took his Parliamentary oath on Oct. 2, two years after he was elected as a lawmaker.

“It’s pleasing that Mr. Haberal has taken his oath. But this development does not remove the shameful situation [of other jailed lawmakers]. The government revealed a so-called democratization package but lawmakers are behind bars,” CHP leadeyr Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu told reporters after Haberal’s oath ceremony in Parliament. “Turkey is governing by a dictatorship at the moment. Imprisonment of seven lawmakers is the concrete example of this [dictatorship]. The government and the Parliament Speaker should correct this shameful situation,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.

Haberal was elected as a deputy from prison for the CHP June 12, 2011, in the general elections; however, he was not released by the court, contrary to expectations.

A renowned surgeon and former rector of the private Başkent University, Haberal was one of the highest profile civilian suspects of the Ergenekon case. At the final hearing of the Ergenekon trial, Haberal was first given 12-and-a-half years on charges related to a coup attempt, but was released by the court in consideration of time served. He served time in prison since April 2009.

Haberal was applauded by lawmakers from the CHP as well as the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) ranks, however, remained silent.