Turkish court rules to release HDP deputy Gülser Yıldırım in one case

MARDİN - Doğan News Agency

A court in the southeastern province of Mardin on Nov. 15 ruled for the release of jailed Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Gülser Yıldırım in one of the cases in which she is on trial. 

Yıldırım was arrested on Nov. 4, 2016 in connection to two cases opened against her. She is currently held in a prison in the western province of Kocaeli and took part in the hearing at the Mardin 3rd High Criminal Court on Nov. 15 via the voice and video informatics system (SEGBİS).

Yıldırım made her defense in Kurdish and told the court that it was not “healthy” to not take part in the trial in person.

“I want to be present at the court myself. I demand time for my defense,” she said.

The court ruled for the release of Yıldırım in connection to the charge of “inciting a crime.” However, her arrest continues in another case in which she is standing trial, accused of “establishing a terror organization and managing it.”

HDP Şırnak deputy Aycan İrmez told reporters following the hearing that they were pleased with the release ruling.

“But as her arrest continues in another case, she could not be released from prison. That is why we are still saddened,” İrmez said.