content tagged with Selahattin Demirtaş

Turkey may finally release Kurdish leader Demirtaş after nine years in prison

Turkey may finally release Kurdish leader Demirtaş after nine years in prison

The European court, whose previous rulings on the case had not been implemented by Ankara, has once again ordered Demirtaş's release. This time, however, President Erdoğan said, "We'll comply with whatever the judiciary says."

5 November 2025

Ercan Jan Aktaş

Why should Demirtaş be released?

Why should Demirtaş be released?

If we truly wish for the children of Anatolia and Mesopotamia to grow freely—in their own languages, joys, and dreams—then the path lies through the release of imprisoned hopes, the reckoning of justice, and the restoration of politics itself.

15 October 2025 Ercan Jan Aktaş

Turkey submits its objection to the ECHR ruling on Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtaş

Turkey submits its objection to the ECHR ruling on Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtaş

Turkey has requested that the ruling on Selahattin Demirtaş be reconsidered by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) Grand Chamber.

European court finds 2019 ruling for Demirtaş’s 2019 detention arbitrary

European court finds 2019 ruling for Demirtaş’s 2019 detention arbitrary

The ruling stated that Turkey’s Constitutional Court had failed to provide effective oversight, contributing to the violation of Demirtaş’s rights.

CHP leader visits Demirtaş in prison amid renewed peace process talk

CHP leader visits Demirtaş in prison amid renewed peace process talk

Özgür Özel will embark on a visit to the country’s Kurdish-populated region.

21 October 2024

Director, cameraman briefly detained over ‘Demirtaş shirts’

Director, cameraman briefly detained over ‘Demirtaş shirts’

The police released the two individuals after several hours but seized their t-shirts.

Selahattin Demirtaş sentenced to additional 2.5 years in prison

Selahattin Demirtaş sentenced to additional 2.5 years in prison

"If I were an ultra-nationalist politician who orchestrated killings in the heart of Ankara and threatened people, no case would be filed against me. Instead, you would protect me,” Demirtaş remarked during the hearing.

Demirtaş, Corbyn exchange messages of solidarity

Demirtaş, Corbyn exchange messages of solidarity

The imprisoned Kurdish politician wished the former Labour Party leader success in the upcoming UK elections.

PACE delegation urges Turkey to comply with ECtHR rulings on Demirtaş, Kavala

PACE delegation urges Turkey to comply with ECtHR rulings on Demirtaş, Kavala

PACE's co-rapporteur for Turkey met with various officials during his visit to the country, including Constitutional Court members and diplomats.

DEM Party expresses its reaction to imposition of body search to Demirtaş

DEM Party expresses its reaction to imposition of body search to Demirtaş

"We call for an immediate end to the escalating inhuman practices against Demirtaş and our comrades in prisons. We also invite democratic opposition and the public to stand against these unlawful acts and to join us in the fight."

Demirtaş: 'If I were a racist, fascist gang leader, I wouldn't be standing trial'

Demirtaş: 'If I were a racist, fascist gang leader, I wouldn't be standing trial'

Connected to the trial via SEGBİS, Demirtaş stated, "I am Kurdish, I am a Kurdish politician, and that is the reason I am standing trial." "Millions of people who voted for me elected me to speak these truths," he said.

6 December 2023

CoE's governing body requests immediate release of Yüksekdağ, Demirtaş, Kavala

CoE's governing body requests immediate release of Yüksekdağ, Demirtaş, Kavala

The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers demanded the immediate release of Osman Kavala, Figen Yüksekdağ, and Selahattin Demirtaş, stating their detentions were unjustified and lacked reasonable grounds.

8 June 2023 Ayça Söylemez

ECtHR convicts Turkey in case of imprisoned HDP politicians

ECtHR convicts Turkey in case of imprisoned HDP politicians

The most recent European court ruling adds to the previous judgments against Turkey concerning Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ.

Demirtaş steps back from active politics but says 'I belong and I will continue to belong to HDP'

Demirtaş steps back from active politics but says 'I belong and I will continue to belong to HDP'

"In fact, Kılıçdaroğlu has won the elections. However, election frauds, the votes cast abroad, and the votes of those who were made citizens recently; all added up, Erdoğan has won this historical election. What we lived through has nothing to do with an election, democracy, or the people's will being reflected; not even close to it. All of what has happened was an operation," said the imprisoned politician.

Demirtaş announces retirement from active politics

Demirtaş announces retirement from active politics

The Kurdish politician recently criticized his HDP for its loss of votes in the elections on May 14.

Demirtaş hits back at Erdoğan over 'execution' slogans during re-election speech

Demirtaş hits back at Erdoğan over 'execution' slogans during re-election speech

When the president labeled the Kurdish politician a "terrorist" during his speech, the crowd responded by chanting slogans demanding his execution.

Baş shares Demirtaş's note after his visit to prison

Baş shares Demirtaş's note after his visit to prison

After visiting the Ex-Chairperson of People's Democratic Party in prison, the President of the Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) posted Demirtaş's handwritten note which says that the two parties should strengthen the struggle together.

Green Left Party releases final declaration: 'Our mission is to end the one-man regime'

Green Left Party releases final declaration: 'Our mission is to end the one-man regime'

Facing closure, the HDP will compete in the elections under the Green Left Party.

Demirtaş responds to justice minister's 'Twitter restriction' statement

Demirtaş responds to justice minister's 'Twitter restriction' statement

Behind bars for over six years, the popular Kurdish politician continues to influence the country's politics through his Twitter account run by his family and lawyers.

13 January 2023

Bozdağ on social media posts of Demirtaş: 'We are working on it at the moment'

Bozdağ on social media posts of Demirtaş: 'We are working on it at the moment'

In response to a comment that the imprisoned ex-chairperson of HDP was "still leading his organization from prison through his social media posts", the Ministry of Justice said, "We are aware that regulation is needed here."

12 January 2023

Demirtaş explains his application to visit PKK leader

Demirtaş explains his application to visit PKK leader

"Saying delegations should be sent to İmralı is much more moral and legitimate than saying soldiers should be send across the border," Demirtaş wrote.

8 December 2022

Demirtaş says was offered to take place of Öcalan during 'resolution process'

Demirtaş says was offered to take place of Öcalan during 'resolution process'

Speaking at the court, Demirtaş disclosed new details about the ending of the "peace process." "During the resolution process when delegations were going regularly to the İmralı prison, Hakan Fidan, head of the intelligence wanted to meet with me, which I rejected," Demirtaş said.

2 December 2022

Demirtaş on İstanbul explosion: I am only asking

Demirtaş on İstanbul explosion: I am only asking

"When I saw the event on TV, I recalled the near past. Without putting blame on anyone, without bringing anyone under suspicion, I just want to ask. Maybe the authorities will give satisfactory answers to these questions and we will feel comfortable."

16 November 2022

Lawsuit against Demirtaş over 'chemical attack' tweet

Lawsuit against Demirtaş over 'chemical attack' tweet

The imprisoned politician is charged with "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" and "insulting the institutions and organs of the state."

10 November 2022

Demirtaş: Türkiye's militarist opposition also responsible for lynching of Korur-Fincancı

Demirtaş: Türkiye's militarist opposition also responsible for lynching of Korur-Fincancı

The imprisoned politician has criticized the opposition politicians who joined accusations of "terrorist propaganda" against the Turkish Medical Association head, who was sent behind bars last week.

31 October 2022

Interior minister engages in Twitter feud with Demirtaş over deadly Mersin attack

Interior minister engages in Twitter feud with Demirtaş over deadly Mersin attack

The imprisoned Kurdish politician denounced the attack that left three killed. Minister Soylu accused him of "whitewashing" the PKK.

28 September 2022

Demirtaş shaves off hair in support of women's protests in Iran

Demirtaş shaves off hair in support of women's protests in Iran

Selahattin Demirtaş and Selçuk Mızraklı, the dismissed mayor of Diyarbakır, have expressed support for the protests against Mahsa Amini's killing in Iran.

23 September 2022

Letter from Demirtaş: Intellectuals have a historic responsibility

Letter from Demirtaş: Intellectuals have a historic responsibility

Drawing attention to the upcoming elections in the letter he has sent to journalists, including bianet’s project coordinator, Nadire Mater, the imprisoned politician underlined the importance of an alliance based on democracy but not any political party.

Appeals court overturns Selahattin Demirtaş’s prison sentence of 2 years, 6 months

Appeals court overturns Selahattin Demirtaş’s prison sentence of 2 years, 6 months

The court of appeals has ruled that the case file of jailed politician Selahattin Demirtaş shall be sent back to the high criminal court, concluding that “dividing a part of the act and penalizing it partially is against the law as it is.”

Kobanî trial | Selahattin Demirtaş: The prosecutor was after a false statement

Kobanî trial | Selahattin Demirtaş: The prosecutor was after a false statement

Speaking as to the witness statement, jailed politician Demirtaş recalled that Baran “stated that he became a tool in the plot and signed the statement without reading it” and urged the court to file a complaint against the prosecutor and security.

New indictment against Demirtaş over tweet from nine years ago

New indictment against Demirtaş over tweet from nine years ago

The tweet subject to investigation included the slogan "Biji Serok Apo," Kurdish for "Long live leader Apo," according to the indictment.

Turkey to pass Khashoggi case to Saudi Arabia, 'complies with' ECtHR judgment on Kavala

JUSTICE MINISTER

Turkey to pass Khashoggi case to Saudi Arabia, 'complies with' ECtHR judgment on Kavala

About the ECtHR judgments for the release of Selahattin Demirtaş and Osman Kavala, Minister Bozdağ said Turkey has enforced 88 percent of the European court rulings.