In a surprising turn of events, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has publicly expressed support for the release of Selahattin Demirtaş, the former leader of the pro‑Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). Yet, Demirtaş remains behind bars in Edirne F‑type high‑security prison, a situation that has perplexed observers and human rights advocates alike.
Demirtaş, who was first elected as the chair of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) in 2010, rose to national prominence during the 2014 presidential election. At 41, he secured 9.7% of the vote, a strong showing that energized left‑wing supporters across Turkey. The following year, the HDP, under his leadership, achieved a historic 13.1% of the parliamentary vote, marking the first time the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lost its majority.
Despite this political success, Demirtaş was arrested in 2015 on charges of “terrorist propaganda.” Over the past decade, he has spent time in a high‑security facility in north‑west Turkey, where he has authored seven books, including the 2017 short‑story collection Dawn, which sold 100,000 copies in its first 20 days.
In 2023, Demirtaş announced his decision to step back from active politics, citing a desire to pursue a new form of resistance through literature. He has since dedicated his work to women affected by violence, reflecting his continued commitment to social justice.
President Erdoğan’s recent endorsement of Demirtaş’s release comes amid growing international pressure on Turkey to uphold democratic principles and human rights. However, the Turkish government has yet to release the former opposition leader, citing ongoing legal proceedings. The situation remains a focal point for discussions on political freedom and the rule of law in Turkey.
Source: The Guardian World
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