16 HDP, HDK Officials including HDP Party Assembly Member Can Arrested

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Taken to court following 14-day detention, 16 officials from the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) and Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) were arrested yesterday (February 20).

The 16 figures among whom is HDP Party Assembly member Celalettin Can are charged with “being a member of an illegal organization”.

Four different judgeships ruled for the arrest of Filiz Yılmaz, Metin İlan, Suphi Yıldız, Bedia Aydemir, Gonca Yangöz (HDK General Assembly member), Şamil Altan (HDK General Assembly member), Abdulselam Yolcu, Taylan Talaş, Hüseyin Gencer, Celalettin Can, Atilla Sayır, Erhan Sarıkaya, Gülsen Biter, Vahit Dalgıç, Taylan Ürün ve Can Memiş (HDP former Central Executive Board member and student at Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts) 

Four judgeships, 16 arrest, nine releases on probation, three released

According to Mezopotamya Agency, 19 of 30 people who were detained during the operation launched against the HDK members were sent court for arrest; nine were sent to criminal judgeship of peace for release on probation. Journalist Pınar Tarlak and Abdullah Ertan were released.

İstanbul 6th Criminal Judgeship of Peace ruled for Filiz Yılmaz, Metin İlan, Suphi Yıldız, Bedia Aydemir and Gonca Yangöz to be arrested on charge of “being a member of an illegal organization”. Yangöz is also charged with “propagandizing for an illegal organization”.

İstanbul 3rd Criminal Judgeship of Peace ruled for arrest of de Şamil Altan, Abdulselam Yolcu, Taylan Talaş and Hüseyin Gencer on charge of “being a member of an illegal organization”, and ordered Mehmet Ali Ulusoy to be released on probation.

İstanbul 4th Criminal Judgeship of Peace ruled for Atilla Sayır, Celalettin Can and Erhan Sarıkaya to be arrested, and for Çiğdem Kılıç Uçar (HDK Central Board member) and Elif Bulut to be released.

İstanbul 8th Criminal Judgeship of Peace ruled for arrest of de Gülsen Biter, Vahit Dalgıç, Taylan Ürünve Can Memiş on charge of “being a member of an illegal organization”.

Hikmet Duman, Döne Gevher, Nurcan Keskin, İsmail Adanmış, Metin Fazıl, Hıdır Doğan, Abdurrezzak Acıbalık, Zakir Aydemir and Hasan Sayan were released on probation. (BK/TK)