'We have never stopped struggling for peace'

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Behind bars in Kocaeli Type F Prison, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) former Co-Chair Figen Yüksekdağ has responded to the letter of Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Andreas Schieder from Austria.

"Dear Andreas Schieder... I have received your letter. I would like to extend my thanks for your concern and sensitivity," Yüksekdağ has said in the introduction to her letter and briefly added the following:

'We have not stopped even for a second'

"It is very valuable for me and my friends that you express international support for the struggle for political freedoms in Turkey and stand in solidarity with the political prisoners and elected persons.

"Even though we have been subjected to unlawful and discriminatory attitudes and political operations, we have not stopped making efforts and struggling to create a climate of democracy, freedoms and peace in Turkey even for a second and we will not stop doing so.

"Knowing that you and all our friends making efforts to end our imprisonment share the same feelings and desires gives us strength. Our only wish is a life where democracy, freedom and fundamental human rights prevail in Turkey, the Middle East, Europe and the world."

What happened?

An operation was conducted against HDP MPs in November 2016 as part of investigations launched by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices of Diyarbakır, Hakkari, Van, Şırnak and Bingöl. While HDP's the then Co-Chair Figen Yüksekdağ was detained from her home in Ankara, the then Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş was detained from his home in Diayarbakır.

The 2nd Penal Court of Peace ruled for the arrest of Demirtaş and Yüksekdağ. While Demirtaş has been arrested in Edirne Prison since then, Yüksekdağ is arrested in Kandıra Prison in Kocaeli. (EMK/SD)