Gov’t to CHP: Bring offer to release jailed deputies

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

I also want the detained deputies to be released. ... In our law, it is not possible to make arrangements specific to individuals,’ Deputy Prime Minister Arınç says. AA photo

Instead of complaining about the cases of detained deputies, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) should come up with a concrete legal proposal, Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç said April 7. 

Speaking in an interview with Kanal 24 news station, Arınç recalled that although he had been against the idea of nominating jailed people for the Parliament, he also voiced support for their release after they were elected in the June 2011 elections. “If this was possible through a legal arrangement, we made the arrangement in the third judicial package last July,” he said, adding that it was unfortunate that the judiciary had not released the deputies despite this arrangement.

I want their release: Arınç

The third judicial reform package, which expanded the use of the judicial control mechanism, raised hopes for the eight jailed deputies, but the courts rejected their release. “I also want the detained deputies to be released and come to Parliament, but this is a wish. How can we do it through law? In our law, it is not possible to make arrangements specific to individuals,” Arınç said, adding that if the CHP maintained that this was possible then it should bring forward options.

“Let them stop talking. Let them introduce us a bill, an article. Let us show it to experts and if it is possible, then let us do it. Nobody should have doubts about this,” he added.

Eight deputies are currently behind bars, all of whom are from opposition parties. Five come from the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), two are from the CHP and one is from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). The issue has become controversial since their election to Parliament in the June 2011. Arınç also suggested that the fourth judicial package, which will be debated at Parliament today, paves the way for the release of seriously ill convicts or detainees, such as retired Gen. Ergin Saygun and Professor Fatih Hilmioğlu.