ADVERTISEMENT

Government blocks EU MPs' visit to jailed Kurdish leader

He is one of 10 HDP MPs held, including his co-leader Figen Yuksekdag, following their arrest earlier this month

Selahattin Demirtas -- the co-leader of the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) -- is being held at a prison in Edirne in northwest Turkey

The delegation of a dozen members of the Party of European Socialists (PES) sought to make a visit to the head of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Selahattin Demirtas at the prison in Edirne in northwest Turkey.

But they were blocked by Turkish gendarmes on the approach road to the prison and instead held an impromptu press conference in the street, an AFP correspondent said.

Demirtas' lawyers were however allowed to visit him.

ADVERTISEMENT

He is one of 10 HDP MPs held, including his co-leader Figen Yuksekdag, following their arrest earlier this month.

They are accused of membership of or promoting the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and are under arrest in various prisons across the country pending trial.

"He is not abandoned, he is not alone, our political family is in solidarity with him," said PES president and Bulgarian MEP Sergei Stanishev who was joined by MEPs and national lawmakers from Sweden, France and Austria.

The former Bulgarian premier added that there can be "no compromise" on political criteria, as Turkey seeks to join the European Union in a long-stalled bid.

Hisyar Ozsoy, the vice chairman of the HDP in charge of international affairs, slammed the reluctance of the authorities to allow visits to Demirtas.

ADVERTISEMENT

"There is a serious policy of isolation... they have reduced relations with the outside world to the lowest level," he said.

According to the HDP, over 50 pro-Kurdish mayors have also been detained in the crackdown, the latest being Mardin mayor Ahmet Turk who was taken in on Monday.

Critics complain the authorities are using the state of emergency imposed in the wake of the July 15 coup attempt to crack down on all opposition, not just the suspected coup plotters themselves.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Peter Obi breaking fast with Muslims in Abuja mosque gets Nigerians talking

Peter Obi breaking fast with Muslims in Abuja mosque gets Nigerians talking

Video of weird school competition shows young students licking one another's feet

Video of weird school competition shows young students licking one another's feet

UniCal records highest number of first class graduates in 49 years

UniCal records highest number of first class graduates in 49 years

Army announces names of 17 soldiers killed in shocking Delta attack

Army announces names of 17 soldiers killed in shocking Delta attack

Ooni wants Ile-Ife, Modakeke indigenes to live together peacefully

Ooni wants Ile-Ife, Modakeke indigenes to live together peacefully

'Politics is not about being negative every time' — Peter Obi

'Politics is not about being negative every time' — Peter Obi

Army thinks Okuama community planned shocking murder of 16 soldiers in Delta

Army thinks Okuama community planned shocking murder of 16 soldiers in Delta

27,600 Benue women to receive grants, loans for business growth, self reliant

27,600 Benue women to receive grants, loans for business growth, self reliant

₦184 million per street light project and other shocking figures in 2024 budget

₦184 million per street light project and other shocking figures in 2024 budget

Pulse Sports

Super Eagles Bright Osayi-Samuel punches pitch invader as violence erupts following Trabzonspor vs Fenerbahce

Super Eagles Bright Osayi-Samuel punches pitch invader as violence erupts following Trabzonspor vs Fenerbahce

Naija Stars Abroad: Moffi, Chukwueze battle Oshoala, Echegini for POTW

Naija Stars Abroad: Moffi, Chukwueze battle Oshoala, Echegini for POTW

Report: Super Eagles get new coach for Ghana and Mali clash

Report: Super Eagles get new coach for Ghana and Mali clash

Osimhen misses out on N17b payday after Napoli's UCL loss to Barcelona

Osimhen misses out on N17b payday after Napoli's UCL loss to Barcelona

‘Thank you’ - Osimhen’s girlfriend Stefanie Ladewig grateful for being the mother of his child

‘Thank you’ - Osimhen’s girlfriend Stefanie Ladewig grateful for being the mother of his child

4 reasons why Victor Osimhen should choose Arsenal over Chelsea, Manchester United and PSG

4 reasons why Victor Osimhen should choose Arsenal over Chelsea, Manchester United and PSG

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT