Release Verdict for Former HDP Co-Chair Demirtaş

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Ramazan Aydemir, the attorney of Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) former co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş, has announced that Ankara 19th Heavy Penal Court has ruled for the release of the politician.

Yet he will continue to stay behind bars as the İstanbul Regional Court of Justice approved a 4-year and 8-month prison term given to the politician by the İstanbul 26th Heavy Penal Court on December 4, 2018.

The approval came after the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) decision for Demirtaş's release on November 17, 2018. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized the verdict, saying they will "make their move" against it.

The attorneys of Demirtaş announced in the morning they will not attend today's hearing as they are preparing for the ECtHR Grand Chamber hearing on September 18.

Demirtaş has been under arrest over terrorism-related allegations since November 2016. (AS/VK)