Media authority RTÜK probes Başak Demirtaş’s remarks on FOX TV

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The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has announced that it has launched a probe on the grounds of what Başak Demirtaş, the spouse of jailed politician Selahattin Demirtaş, said on FOX TV morning news bulletin with İsmail Küçükkaya earlier in the day (October 6).

In a statement released on the official Twitter account of the media authority on the same day, it was said, "A probe has been launched as per the Law no. 6112 on the grounds of the words and statements of Başak Demirtaş during a program aired on FOX media outlet."

Selahattin Demirtaş, the former Co-Chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), has been arrested in Edirne Prison since November 2016. The party itself is now facing a closure case at the Constitutional Court.

What did Başak Demirtaş say?

Başak Demirtaş, the spouse of Selahattin Demirtaş, answered the questions of İsmail Küçükkaya on Fox TV morning news yesterday (October 6).

Speaking on Fox TV today, Başak Demirtaş first extended her greetings to all arrested and convicted people, including politicians and lawyers:

"I would like to extend my greetings to all Fox TV viewers and all arrestees and convicts in prisons. I send my greetings to all in the person of Gültan Kışanak, Figen Yüksekdağ, İdris Baluken, Selçuk Mızraklı and Selçuk Kozağaçlı. Also, Aysel Tuğluk is seriously ill. I extend my get-soon-well wishes to her. I wish ill prisoners are released and treated outside."

Başak Demirtaş indicated that they have been unable to make a contact visit in prison for the past 19 months:

"Before the pandemic, we could make three non-contacts visits and one contact visit in a month, but we have been unable to make a contact visit for 19 months. Our daughters have been unable to hug their father for 19 months. We can make only two non-contact visits in a month.

"It is impossible to understand this. I am sorry to say this, but this situation has turned into an arbitrariness. Both Selahattin and I have been vaccinated. We are in a state to have a contact visit, but even a non-contact visit can be held twice a month. There can be no explanation for this. I would like to call out to the Justice Minister: Why is our right to visit still restricted?" (KÖ/SD)