Former CHP MP Erdem Ends Hunger Strike
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Republican People's Party's (CHP) former MP Eren Erdem has ended the hunger strike that he began in prison last week.
Muharrem İnce, CHP's candidate for the 2018 presidential elections, has announced Erdem's decision to end the hunger strike after meeting with him in the prison.
Eren Erdem began a hunger strike on January 29, saying, "Being tried for FETÖ (Fethullahist Terrorist Organization, held responsible for the coup attempt on July 15, 2016) hurts my pride."
An investigation was launched against Erdem because of the hunger strike on February 1.
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. |
(EKN/VK)
Photo: AA-Archive