HDP’s Kemalbay released on conditions
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The former co-chair of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish HDP has been released on conditions.
“Our former co-chair Serpil Kemalbay has been released. Defending peace is not a crime, it is an obligation and an honour,” HDP tweeted on Tuesday.
Kemalbay was detained one week ago for her opposition to Turkey’s military offensive in Afrin.
She still faces charges and will have to report regularly to the authorities. She is also barred from leaving the country, AFP reported citing an HDP official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Turkey has arrested hundreds for protesting against its military operation in Afrin. Many faced charges stemming from social media posts about the offensive.
Kemalbay was arrested just two days after HDP held its congress and elected two new co-chairs: Pervin Buldan and Sezai Temelli. A day after their election, Turkey’s chief prosecutor announced it was investigating Buldan on terror allegations. Kemalbay herself replaced former co-chair Figen Yuksekdag who was stripped of her party membership by a court after a conviction on terror charges.
Yuksekdag appeared in court on Tuesday. The court decided to consolidate some of the case files she is facing. Her next hearing is scheduled for May 17, HDP reported.
Turkish authorities allege HDP has ties with the PKK and has opened terror cases against many HDP deputies. At least nine of the party’s lawmakers are currently detained.
In the latest hearing of former co-chair Selahattin Demirtas’ case last week, prosecutors attempted to connect him with the named terror group by presenting photos to court of the Kurdish leader next to PKK fighters in their Qandil headquarters and visiting PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan in Imrali prison.
Demirtas argued before court that he had to meet with both sides in his role as a peace negotiator during talks between the PKK and Ankara.
He clarified his position in a statement published by the party on Tuesday.
“Mr. Ocalan has never entered into an association with me or my party that can be perceived as giving instructions,” he stated.
Demirtas accused the government of trying to use the now defunct peace talks as a “tool for pressure and blackmail.”
“Our former co-chair Serpil Kemalbay has been released. Defending peace is not a crime, it is an obligation and an honour,” HDP tweeted on Tuesday.
Kemalbay was detained one week ago for her opposition to Turkey’s military offensive in Afrin.
She still faces charges and will have to report regularly to the authorities. She is also barred from leaving the country, AFP reported citing an HDP official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Turkey has arrested hundreds for protesting against its military operation in Afrin. Many faced charges stemming from social media posts about the offensive.
Kemalbay was arrested just two days after HDP held its congress and elected two new co-chairs: Pervin Buldan and Sezai Temelli. A day after their election, Turkey’s chief prosecutor announced it was investigating Buldan on terror allegations. Kemalbay herself replaced former co-chair Figen Yuksekdag who was stripped of her party membership by a court after a conviction on terror charges.
Yuksekdag appeared in court on Tuesday. The court decided to consolidate some of the case files she is facing. Her next hearing is scheduled for May 17, HDP reported.
Turkish authorities allege HDP has ties with the PKK and has opened terror cases against many HDP deputies. At least nine of the party’s lawmakers are currently detained.
In the latest hearing of former co-chair Selahattin Demirtas’ case last week, prosecutors attempted to connect him with the named terror group by presenting photos to court of the Kurdish leader next to PKK fighters in their Qandil headquarters and visiting PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan in Imrali prison.
Demirtas argued before court that he had to meet with both sides in his role as a peace negotiator during talks between the PKK and Ankara.
He clarified his position in a statement published by the party on Tuesday.
“Mr. Ocalan has never entered into an association with me or my party that can be perceived as giving instructions,” he stated.
Demirtas accused the government of trying to use the now defunct peace talks as a “tool for pressure and blackmail.”