"Allegations against Ersanlı Lack legal Basis"

Lawyer Züleyha Gülüm, legal advisor of Prof Büşra Ersanlı who was arrested on 1 November, noted that during her interrogation the university lecturer was only asked questions about her academic activities. Ersanlı was arrested by the Istanbul 14^th High Criminal Court under allegations of "membership of an illegal organization" on 1 November.

Lawyer Gülüm reminded the fact that Prof Ersanlı is not only a member of staff at the Marmara University Department of International Relations and Political Sciences but also a member of the Party Assembly of the pro-Kurdish  Peace and Democracy Party (BDP). According to Gülüm, Ersanlı taught two times at the political academy of her party.

"Throwing stones was a hoax"

The lawyer indicated that Ersanlı was asked about the topics of her lessons. Before the local elections, Ersanlı was working on a book entitled "Politics everywhere and any time; Political Culture, the Political System and Women in Turkey". The book was prepared within the structure of the Association for Support and Education for Women Candidates (KA.DER). This work provided the basis for the lessons at the academy, Gülüm explained.

She refuted allegations that "the police had footage showing Ersanlı throwing stones at the police" as reported by certain newspapers.  The lawyer ascertained that neither the police, nor the prosecution or the court asked any questions on this matter.

Lawyer Gülüm furthermore mentioned that her client was asked why she would use the term "citizen of Turkey" instead of "Turkish citizen". She was also interrogated on notes she took at the BDP Political Academy and various panel discussions and symposiums, Gülüm said.

"Only based on allegations"

The lawyer mentioned that Ersanlı was arrested under allegations of "membership of an illegal organization". She continued, "They did not ask anything that would correlate to an illegal organization. They claim that the Academy is somehow affiliated with an illegal organization and that Ersanlı taught there".

"When we asked about the evidence regarding the alleged ties of the Academy to an illegal organization they did not give us any answer. They said 'It is alleged that the BDP Political Academy has connections with an armed terrorist organization. You went there and gave lessons'".

Gülüm indicated that they were not able to see the file due to a decision of confidentiality. "They cannot say 'You are active on this particular illegal ground'", the lawyer pointed out.

"A political case"

According to Gülüm, Ersanlı stated that she had no connections to any illegal organization and that she was the Party Assembly member of the BDP as a legal political party. Moreover, she stated in the course of the interrogation that the BDP has a political academy just like any other political party and that she gave lessons twice regarding her field of study.

"Ersanlı considers the operations as political rather than legal and as the attempt to fray out the legitimacy of the BDP before the public. I think so too", Gülüm agreed.

"Looking at the questions we were asked they a lack a legal basis indeed. In my opinion, this is a political case. I consider this as an operation not only against the BDP but against the entire opposition", Gülüm concluded.

Appeal and Protests

The lawyers of Ersanlı and publisher and human rights defender Ragıp Zarakolu will file an appeal against the arrest of their clients today (3 November) at 1.00 pm at the Beşiktaş (Istanbul) Courthouse.

Friends and colleagues of both detainees are going to gather in front of the courthouse at the same time to protest against the arrests. They are going to condemn the incidents in a press release. (EKN)