Former MP Mahmut Alınak Made to Wear an Ankle Monitor

* Photo: Mezopotamya Agency (MA)

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

Facing aggravated life sentence and released to house arrest in his first hearing after serving three months in prison, politician and writer Mahmut Alınak has been made to wear an ankle monitor.

"I resisted against handcuffs at the courthouse and security directorate, I refused to be handcuffed," Alınak has said and added, "They have started taking revenge for this by placing the bracelet around my ankle."

The ankle monitor reminds him of the neck rings that the slaves were made to wear by colonialists in Africa and Americas, says Alınak.

Arrested on February 17, 2020 and released to house arrest on May 13, 2020, Alınak faces charges of "bringing the territory of a state under the sovereignty of a foreign state entirely or partly; disrupting the unity of the state; separating a part of the territory under the sovereignty of the state from its administration; and undermining the independence of the state."

Alınak: They are taking revenge

Speaking to Mezopotamya Agency (MA), Alınak has briefly said:

"They used to put rings around the necks of slaves in history. Colonialists put rings of slavery around the necks of blacks in Africa and Americas. What was slaves deemed worthy of back then is now done to us.

"We are the modern slaves of this country. We reject this. I resisted against handcuffs at the courthouse and security directorate, I refused to be handcuffed. With this bracelet put around my ankle, they have now started taking revenge for this.

"When I was in prison, I could - at least - see some sunlight in the yard of my cell. But, now, in my home, where I have been confined, I will not be able to get even a single ray of sunlight. Because it is forbidden to take even a single step outside the home.

"All these are done to intimidate me, but it is them who know best that I will not be intimidated or take a step back from what I think.

"We have historical responsibilities towards our people, towards the oppressed humanity. We are ready to pay for this as intellectuals."

What happened?

Detained from his house in Turkey's eastern province of Kars on February 13, 2020, Mahmut Alınak was arrested on February 17. In a statement released by his family following his detention, it was said, "Mahmut Alınak is 68 years old and in prison for the 10th time!"

After he deposed at the prosecutor's office, Alınak was referred to the judgeship of peace on charge of "membership of an organization." As reported by Mezopotamya Agency, Mahmut Alınak was arrested and sent to Kars Prison on the offense charged. Alınak has been under house arrest since his first hearing on May 17, 2020.

As the reason for the arrest of former People's Labor Party (HEP) MP, the court indicated that he donated the revenue of his book Bêkes to the family of Cizre People's Assembly Co-Chair Mehmet Tunç and it also referred to his conversations with his relatives, his articles critical of the government, his proposal to mediate between two conflicting families and his attempts to raise public awareness by collecting garbage with workers.

A 300-page indictment was issued against Alınak, charging him with "bringing the territory of a state under the sovereignty of a foreign state entirely or partly; disrupting the unity of the state; separating a part of the territory under the sovereignty of the state from its administration; and undermining the independence of the state."

Based on this indictment, a lawsuit has been launched against Mahmut Alınak at the Kars 2nd Heavy Penal Court. 

About Mahmut Alınak

Legist, lawyer, politician, former MP and writer.

Nominated by the Social Democratic People's Party (SHP), Alınak was elected as an MP in the parliamentary elections in 1987 and 1991. He also served as Democratic Society Party (DTP) provincial chairperson in Kars.

He was remanded in custody during the investigation against the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) in December 2011. He was released in July 2012. He was sentenced to 14 months and 7 days in prison for his statements on torture. Although he was released on probation, he was put in prison in September 2014 for violating the probation conditions. He wrote 10 books. (EKN/SD)