Opposition HDP applies to ECHR over arrest of co-chairs

ANKARA

The People’s Democracy Party (HDP) has announced plans to file an application to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) regarding the continued arrest of the party’s co-leaders, Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ.

According to the statement made by the HDP headquarters, a delegation consisting of deputy leader Saruhan Oluç, Group Deputy Chairperson Filiz Kerestecioğlu and lawmakers Mithat Sancar, Ertuğrul Kürkçü and Osman Baydemir will be in Strasbourg today and tomorrow. 

The delegation will be accompanied by the HDP’s European representative, Faik Yağızay. 

At the moment, a total of 12 HDP lawmakers, including Demirtaş and Yüksekdağ, remain in custody, facing hundreds of years in jail over alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK).
The HDP focuses on the Kurdish issue.

Demirtaş faces 102 different probes that include charges of “managing a terrorist organization,” “inciting people to violence and hatred” and “praising crime and criminals.” 

Demirtaş’s first hearing will be held on April 28, 12 days after the constitutional referendum  that will decide whether the current parliamentary system should be shifted into an executive presidency.  

On Jan. 17 prosecutors had demanded over 100 years in jail for Demirtaş and up to 83 years in jail for Yüksekdağ.