Father of Selahattin Demirtaş passes away in Amed

Tahir Demirtaş, father of Kurdish politician Selahattin and Nurettin Demirtaş, has died in Amed. Neither of his sons could be by his side at the last moment.

Tahir Demirtaş, father of Kurdish politicians Selahattin and Nurettin Demirtaş, has died in Amed (tr. Diyarbakir). Tahir Demirtaş had suffered several heart attacks, most recently before the elections in Turkey in May. In November 2022, former HDP leader Selahattin Demirtaş, was flown from the Edirne maximum security prison in western Turkey to Amed, where he was able to visit his father in hospital for 45 minutes. His lawyers are now trying to obtain authorisation for the funeral.

The DEM party published a message of condolence, saying: "Tahir Demirtaş, the father of Selahattin Demirtaş, the former co-chair of the HDP who is detained as a hostage, lost his life this morning. Our pain is great. We express our condolences to Selahattin Demirtaş, the entire family, our party members and our people."

Tahir Demirtaş raised children who dedicated their entire lives to the democratic struggle, the DEM party said: "The oppressive system that prevents democratic politicians from being by the side of their loved ones at the last moment will suffocate from the anger and pain over this. Our co-chairs and all the committees of our party will attend the funeral. As soon as the details of the funeral are finalised, we will inform the public."