Attorneys of Demirtaş Appeal for 'Deduction'

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Attorneys of Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) former co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş made an application to İstanbul 26th Heavy Penal Court, which convicted Demirtaş for, "deduction" after a court ruled for the release of him in another case.

Demirtaş has been behind bars for 35 months and was sentenced to 4 years and 8 months in prison in December 2018. Therefore, if the sentence is deducted, he will be released.

Deduction: Article 63/1 of the Turkish Penal Code says, "Any period of custody served in any of the circumstances occurring prior to final judgment shall be deducted from the sentence."

What happened?

Ankara 19th Heavy Penal Court on ruled for the release of Demirtaş on September 2. Demirtaş said, "I am in prison for now because I am convicted. I wish the best for a fair trial," after the ruling.

Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office appealed the decision. The upper court rejected the appeal.

Despite the verdict of release, Demirtaş is still at the Edirne Type-F Prison because İstanbul Regional Court of Justice 2nd Penal Chamber approved a prison sentence for 4 years and 8 months on December 4, 2018. (AS/VK)