Disciplinary Punishment for Former CHP MP Eren Erdem Due to Hunger Strike
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Former MP of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Barış Yarkadaş has announced that Eren Erdem, former MP and current Party Assembly member of the CHP, who has been behind bars for 240 days, has been given a disciplinary punishment by the administration of the Silivri Prison due to his hunger strike. Accordingly, Erdem will be prohibited from engaging in all sport activities in prison for a month.
Posting a message on Twitter, Yarkadaş stated that "Eren Erdem has been given yet another punishment on the 239th day of his arrest" and added:
"Eren, who went on a hunger strike in protest against his solitary confinement and the restriction imposed on the passports of his wife and son, has been given a punishment of not being taken to sports for a month! They make him pay the price for claiming his rights."
On January 29, 2019, Eren Erdem went on a hunger strike, stating that "Being tried on FETÖ*-related charges is hurting my pride."
On February 1, the administration of Silivri Prison launched an investigation against Erdem due to his hunger strike.
On February 5, former CHP MP and Presidential candidate Muharrem İnce visited Erdem in prison and later announced that he ended his hunger strike.
What happened?A lawsuit has been filed against Eren Erdem because of the works that he did as the Editor-in-Chief of the Karşı newspaper. Erdem faces 9.5 to 12 years in prison for the offenses of "Intentionally and willingly helping the armed terrorist organization while not being included in its hierarchical structure", "disclosing an anonymous witness," and "violating the privacy of the investigation." After the indictment was accepted by the court, Eren Erdem went to İstanbul Atatürk Airport on May 21, 2018 but was not able to depart because of the international travel ban imposed on him. Erdem was arrested on June 29, 2018 and is still held in the Silivri Prison. The case continued at the İstanbul 23rd Heavy Penal Court on January 7, 2019. The İstanbul 23rd Heavy Penal Court gave a verdict of release for Erdem on January 7, 2019; however, upon the objection of the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the upper court, the İstanbul 24th Heavy Penal Court issued an arrest warrant for him. Not being released from prison despite the verdict of release, Eren Erdem was arrested again by the İstanbul 24th Heavy Penal Court on January 8, 2019. |
* Fethullahist Terrorist Organization, which is held accountable for staging the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016.
(HA/SD)