'It is shameful to debate whether ECtHR judgement is binding or not'

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Not released despite the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) Grand Chamber, arrested politician Selahattin Demirtaş appeared before the court today (February 3).

Standing trial on charge of "insulting the Prime Minister", Demirtaş attended the hearing at the İstanbul 47th Penal Court of First Instance via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS) from Edirne Prison.

Referring to the debates on whether the ECtHR judgements are binding or not, Demirtaş said that these debates are "shameful" and underlined that "the ECtHR judgement concerns 83 million people."

CLICK - Court refuses to release Demirtaş despite ECtHR ruling

'Don't come under any influence'

While former Co-Chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Selahattin Demirtaş has been arrested in Edirne Type F Prison in northwestern Turkey since November 4, 2016, in this specific case, he is standing trial for allegedly insulting Ahmet Davutoğlu, the then Prime Minister from the ruling AKP and currently the Chair of the opposition Future Party.

CLICK - ECtHR Grand Chamber: Release Demirtaş immediately

As reported by Mezopotamya Agency (MA), Selahattin Demirtaş briefly stated the following in his defense:

"For two months, it has been debated whether the judgements of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) are binding or not. Who is debating it? The executive power is. The President and ministers, so the partners of the People's Alliance, are debating it.

"It is shameful to debate whether the ECtHR judgements are binding or not. It is like sitting under the Galata Tower and asking oneself, 'Does the Galata Tower exist or not?' They are discussing an issue which is not a matter of debate. But why are they discussing it?

"No government official would come to you and tell you to do this or that. Even if they do, I am sure that you will order them out. What do they do, then? They aim to exert pressure on you by speaking on TV programs everyday. Will you take the right vested in you by the Article 83/1 as your basis or Tayyip Erdoğan or Mehmet Uçum or Süleyman Soylu?"

Indicating that investigations are launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into the speeches held by opposition party leaders at the Parliament, Demirtaş said, "My expectation from you is that you defend the law. Whether you will penalize me or not, it is up to you. But take yourself as your basis while hearing a case and give a ruling according to the law. Don't come under the influence of anything else."

'This is an offense of coup'

Referring to the ECtHR ruling on himself, Demirtaş said:

"The least important point in the ECtHR ruling is that I should be released. Because it concerns me. But the other five points concern 83 million.

"This judgement says that this arrest was done with political motives. These judgements will be enforced sooner or later. All judges and prosecutors who have disregarded this judgement are committing a serious crime. Because it is said here that this arrest was done with political motives.

"The ECtHR does not talk about a simple violation. The ECtHR says that 'the government tried to eliminate one of its competitors to have the upper hand in the elections and referendum.' Keeping us behind bars equals to a much more serious offense. This is an offense of coup.

"I do not know whether we will be there or not, but the Republic of Turkey will remain with its Turks, Kurds, Alevis. They are trying to make you a party to this crime. Don't be a party to it. I cannot make defense because I am arrested with political motives.

"You need to write down in the ruling that 'Selahattin Demirtaş is a politician and he could not be taken to the hearing because he is arrested.' 122 lawsuits were filed against me. This is done to exert pressure.

"I want you to confirm that I am arrested as a political prisoner. What you need to do is to drop this case."

After Demirtaş completed his defense, the court board ruled that the next hearing should be held on May 26, 2021. (AS/SD)