Ferhat Encü loses seat in Turkish Parliament, bringing number of revoked HDP deputyships to seven

ANKARA

Ferhat Encü lost his parliamentary seat as a deputy of the Kurdish issue-focused Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) on Feb. 6 after being convicted of terrorism charges.

Deputy Parliament Speaker Yaşar Tüzün announced the removal of Encü by showing lawmakers a letter from the Prime Minister’s Office showing Encü’s conviction.

According to Turkey’s Constitution, any conviction on terrorism charges precludes parliamentary deputyship.

Encü was arrested on Nov. 6, 2016 and was sentenced to four years and seven months on charges including “terror propaganda” on June 9, 2017. His appeal against the conviction was also rejected.

After Tüzün read the letter in parliament, HDP Deputy Group Chair Filiz Kerestecioğlu said the move meant that seven HDP MPs have now had their MP status revoked. She then left the assembly with the other HDP deputies present.

Following Encü’s removal, the HDP now holds 52 seats in the 550-seat parliament. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) holds 316 seats and the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has 131 seats.