HDP: Selahattin Demirtaş Referred to Hospital

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

Shortly after Aygül Demirtaş, the lawyer and sister of the imprisoned former Co-Chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Selahattin Demirtaş, announced that Demirtaş was not taken to a hospital despite losing his consciousness after having breathing difficulties, the HDP has announced on its Twitter account that Demirtaş has been referred to hospital.

The HDP has shared the following message on social media:

"Our MPs Erol Katırcıoğlu and Dr. Necdet İpekyüz visited Mr. Selahattin Demirtaş and had a meeting with him regarding his condition of health. Mr. Demirtaş has been referred to hospital after talks with the authorities."

The HDP English has also shared a brief message on Twitter regarding the latest development and said, "As a result of our attempts, Mr. #Demirtaş is now being referred to the hospital."

As a result of our attempts, Mr #Demirtaş is now being referred to the hospital.

— HDP English (@HDPenglish) December 2, 2019

His condition was announced by his lawyer and sister

Former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş has been arrested in Edirne Type F Prison since November 4, 2016. His sister and lawyer Aygül Demirtaş shared his condition of health on her Twitter account.

Demirtaş had chest pain and breathing difficulties before going unconscious at around 5.30 a.m., Aygül Demirtaş said on Twitter. An ambulance was called but only an ECG was performed on Demirtaş, she added.

Lawyer Demirtaş made the following remarks in brief:

"Our client requested to be referred to a clinic rather than the emergency department for a comprehensive response and treatment.

"The prison doctor wanted him to be sent to three departments, namely cardiology, neurology and gastroenterology. We also requested him to be sent to the hospital in the meetings we held with the prison administration."

Demirtaş has not been sent to the hospital, although it has been seven days since he lost consciousness, Aygül Demirtaş noted.

"Intervention against his right to life"

"Not sending him to the hospital despite such a vital health problem clearly means that he is being held in a life-threatening situation.

"Selahattin Demirtaş's situation as a political hostage is almost being tried to be turned into an intervention against his right to life.

"We don't want to even think about the slightest negative thing about Demirtaş's health.

"We closely monitor the situation. Our lawyer colleagues are in Edirne, following the developments on a 24-hour-basis."

Demirtaş has been kept in prison 'due to security reasons'

Demirtaş has not been sent to the hospital due to security reasons, attorney Aygül Demirtaş told bianet.

"I last saw him on Friday and I found out [about the situation] there. He is conscious now. He is also waiting to be referred to the hospital.

"When we asked the prison director why he has not been taken [to the hospital], he said it was 'on the grounds of security and setting hospital conditions'.

"We are still waiting. We want him taken to the hospital as immediate as possible. No one has yet reached us from the Ministry of Justice." (DB/SD)