Ankara likely to use new charges to keep HDP co-chairs behind bars

Despite both Turkish courts and the European Court of Human Rights calling for the release of opposition leaders Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, the officials may remain behind bars in pretrial detention for new investigations.
Co-chairs of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Selahattin Demirtas (L) and Figen Yuksekdag hold a news conference in Ankara, Turkey, November 1, 2015. Turkey looked set to return to single-party rule after the Islamist-rooted AK Party swept to an unexpected victory in elections on Sunday, an outcome that will boost the power of President Tayyip Erdogan but may sharpen deep social divisions. REUTERS/Stringer/Turkey - LR2EBB11L8L9N
Co-chairs of the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP), Selahattin Demirtas (L) and Figen Yuksekdag hold a news conference in Ankara, Turkey, Nov. 1, 2015. - REUTERS/Turkey
diego_cupolo_color.jpg
Diego Cupolo
@diegocupolo

As the former leaders of Turkey’s majority-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) approach their third anniversary behind bars, the multiplicity of cases against them are becoming increasingly convoluted.

Former HDP co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag were originally taken into custody for terror-related charges on Nov. 4, 2016, along with nine HDP lawmakers.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more