Imprisoned HDP co-chair Demirtaş taken to hospital after suffering heart spasm

EDİRNE

AA photo

The imprisoned co-chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), Selahattin Demirtaş, was taken to hospital in Edirne on Dec. 14 after suffering a heart spasm, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported. 

Demirtaş was reportedly taken to the Trakya University Hospital in the western province of Edirne for medical examinations upon his request.  

Gendarmerie soldiers took high security measures around the hospital. 

Demirtaş suffered a heart spasm in jail on Dec. 10, HDP lawmaker Ayhan Bilgen said on Dec. 12. 

“We are concerned about our co-chair’s medical condition. We will apply to the Turkish Chamber of Doctors and request that Demirtaş receives treatment in hospital by impartial doctors,” Bilgen said.

Demirtaş has previously suffered a heart spasm but has reportedly been denied medical treatment despite having a doctor’s report on his condition.  

Ten lawmakers from Turkey’s Kurdish-issue focused HDP, as well its co-chairs, Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, were arrested on Nov. 4 in a probe that was launched against 14 party deputies over alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).