HDP's Gergerlioğlu expects stronger support from opposition

Photo: Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu

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Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu has started a justice watch after he was stripped of MP status yesterday (March 17).

"I and my friends were here all night. We are here until the Constitutional Court announces its decision," he told bianet. "Opposition parties have reservations, I understand them."

"There is a great reaction from the public. I thank all the public for their support. I hope this support will increase even more. There is an ever-growing justice watch here," he said.

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In February 2018, the Kocaeli 2nd Heavy Penal Court sentenced Gergerlioğlu to 2 years and 6 months in prison for "terror propaganda" because of a Twitter post from 2016.

After the 16th Penal Chamber of the Court of Cassation upheld his prison sentence on February 19, a summary of proceedings for his expulsion was sent to the parliament.

Gergerlioğlu has taken the case to the Constitutional Court.

His seat at the parliament was revoked after the judgment was read out at the parliament yesterday.

"Reactions by the public are stronger than the opposition"

Gergerlioğlu noted that he "left home with his bag" yesterday.

"I spent all night here. We chatted with our friends all night and all of us slept on couches. In the morning, we had our breakfast in solidarity.

"We are waiting for the Constitutional Court decision. There is an unjust situation. There is a robbery of rights, robbery of will. The public does not accept this.

"The CHP [Republican People's Party] group deputy chair also protested it but I'd expect stronger support from the opposition. They gave individual support but we'd like them to stand with us yesterday with stronger support.

"Not only me but also the public has criticized this situation. There is a growing justice watch and the opposition is lagging behind the public. Society, the public are supporting me.

"The issue is not me here, there is a situation of unfairness, injustice. If the society reacts to injustice and the opposition's reaction is weak, then there is a problem here. The opposition is lagging behind society.

"My deputyship was taken away from me with robbery. With usurpation. They said, 'We did it, it happened.' They are openly persecuting us, me, and my party.

"This is an unlawful decision. We told this to them as well. I am thankful for the public support. They should grow the solidarity. It's done to me today, it will be done to someone else tomorrow.

"We are here until the Constitutional Court announces its decision. We continue the resistance. I invite all the opposition here." (EMK/VK)

(EMK/VK)