Demirtaş Supporters Demand Release on 10th Anniversary of His Arrest

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Representatives of civil society organizations, human rights activists, and politicians gathered outside the Diyarbakir Courthouse on Wednesday, marking the 10th anniversary of the arrest of Selahattin Demirtaş and his colleagues and calling for their immediate release.

In a joint statement, the participants demanded the release of Demirtaş, the former co-chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), and all other detainees in the Kobani case.

Demirtaş was arrested on November 4, 2016, as part of an investigation into the 2014 Kobani protests. He was later sentenced to 42 years in prison following his trial in the Kobani case.

Participants at the gathering described the case as politically motivated rather than a legal proceeding, arguing that Demirtaş and his colleagues remain behind bars because of a lack of judicial independence in Turkey. They also called for the implementation of European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings and the removal of obstacles to democratic and peaceful political activities.

Erjan Yılmaz, head of the Diyarbakir branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD), said the ECHR had clearly identified the political nature of the case and the politically motivated arrests of Demirtaş, Figen Yüksekdağ, and their colleagues.

"Turkish courts cannot independently order their release. Therefore, any decision for their release will only come through a political resolution," Yılmaz said.

Meral Danış Beştaş, a parliamentarian from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), also called for expanding the space for peaceful political engagement.

"The current discussions must serve to reopen the path for peaceful politics and democracy. We engage through ideas, discourse, and peaceful means, yet our colleagues remain imprisoned solely because of their political activities. If we genuinely wish to open the door to politics, these politicians must first be released," she said.

Lawyers and human rights experts say the ECHR has issued five rulings concerning the Kobani case, pointing to significant legal shortcomings and identifying political motivations behind the proceedings.

However, Turkish courts have not implemented the rulings, and those detained in connection with the case remain in prison.