Arrest of Selahattin Demirtaş to Continue

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The hearing of the case, where the former Co-Chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Selahattin Demirtaş has been behind bars pending trial, was held today (October 4).

While Selahattin Demirtaş stated, "Since the verdict that you will give is obvious, I do not demand release", the Prosecutor's Office demanded that his detention shall continue. The Ankara 19th Heavy Penal Court ruled that the arrest of Selahattin Demirtaş shall continue.

Demirtaş and his attorneys previously requested that his summaries of proceedings which were within the scope of his legislative immunity be identified and his statements at the Parliament be analyzed. The court board also rejected these requests.

Selahattin Demirtaş has been facing charges of "establishing and leading a terrorist organization", "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" and "praising the crime and the criminal". The lawsuit, which was filed in Turkey's southeastern province of Diyarbakır, was then moved to the Ankara 19th Heavy Penal Court for reasons of security.

The case, a hearing of which was held today, consists of the total of 31 summaries of proceedings, which were previously prepared for Selahattin Demirtaş and sent to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey so that he would be relieved of his MP duties.

Demirtaş, who has been in Edirne Prison since November 4, 2016, presented his statement of defense via Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS). His next hearing will be held on December 12-14, 2018. (BK/SD)