Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Co-chairs Sezai Temelli and Pervin Buldan’s appeal to visit Demirtaş was rejected, while the committee made up of Buldan, Temelli and parliamentary candidates were not allowed to read a press statement in front of the prison. The committee read the statement 5 km away from the prison.

BULDAN: “THEY ARE AFRAID OF DEMİRTAŞ’S COURAGE”

Buldan and Temelli said the following in the press statement:

Pervin Buldan:

"Today, we came to Edirne to meet with our Presidential Candidate Selahattin Demirtaş. We submitted a request to the Ministry of Justice one week ago, but we never received a response and we were prevented from holding a press statement in front of the prion. The reason they cite for this is a decision made on September 29. We have held countless statements in front of the prison since September 29, but today we were prevented from doing so with an outdated decision. The people and the journalists were not allowed in front of the prison. That is why we are holding this press statement five kilometers away. It is a shame that we are holding a statement here in Edirne, where we came to see our Presidential Candidate. This is a shame. Us not being permitted to meet with Demirtaş is yet another.

Mr. Demirtaş is the candidate for millions of people. He is the hope of millions of people. Mr. Demirtaş is the Presidential Candidate for a party that 6 million people voted for. They can keep Mr. Demirtaş hostage behind closed doors, but they can’t erase him from the hearts of millions. Their fear is due to the courage Demirtaş has. Their fear is against the way Demirtaş will govern this country. They are holding Demirtaş hostage because they fear him.

“JUSTICE AT THE SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT”

The ‘Justice is the foundation of the state’ inscription on the walls of courthouses have no meaning anymore. New signs saying ‘Justice is at the service of the government’ should be put up. Because the verdicts are not legal, but political.

Our appeal for the release of Demirtaş has been rejected. Mr. Demirtaş will not be able to come together with his base and his voters. We do not accept this injustice and lawlessness.

“OUR PEOPLE WILL RELEASE DEMİRTAŞ”

The peoples of Turkey will release Mr. Demirtaş and all our friends who are held hostage. Everybody should know this. We set out on this path to have Mr. Demirtaş released from prison on June 24. We promise Mr. Demirtaş that our people will greet him with halays on the night of June 24 here. He is not alone, millions stand with him. Millions of people stand behind him. This injustice will end on June 24. The millions in this country who yearn for peace, justice and democracy will take him from this prison. We promise Demirtaş once again: You will be free, along with all your friends, by the night of June 24.”

“A MATTER THAT IS OF INTEREST FOR MILLIONS”

Sezai Temelli said:

“I would like to start with sending my love to my brother, my comrade, my friend, dear Demirtaş. In the last 18 months, I wasn’t given permission to see him even once. Aside from not being able to see him, there is no legal basis for Demirtaş being held hostage for 568 days. When one looks at the cases he is on trial for, one can see that the summaries were prepared by prosecutors who are Cemaat members, many of whom are under arrest today. The government conducting FETO operations today still is purely election fodder. Demirtaş is under arrest for FETO prosecutors’ indictments.

It is time to end this imprisonment. The rights violations have extended to the violation of the right to participate in elections. It is unjust for not just Demirtaş, but for the millions who voted for Demirtaş. This is a matter that concerns millions of people. And, we are talking about 6 million voters here, Demirtaş has just as much a chance as any other candidate. He may be the next president of the Republic of Turkey. The judges should reconsider their decision.

“A TRAGICOMICAL EXCUSE”

Supposedly, the reason the court rejected the appeal for Demirtaş’s release is that he doesn’t fulfill the requirements for parole. Demirtaş is a man who repeatedly went abroad and came back during his time in office. This is a tragicomical excuse. On the other hand, we appealed with a higher court, and that was also rejected. But everybody should read the statement of opposition by the judge in the High Criminal Court No.19. The judge refers to current legislation and the ECHR and demands an immediate end to Demirtaş’s arrest. It was unfortunately disregarded.

“APPEAL WITH THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT”

Now, we also appealed to the Constitutional Court. We are calling on them from here: Don’t handle the case as a routine appeal, inspect it with priority. Remember the Balbay verdict. The Constitutional Court should issue Demirtaş’s release as soon as possible, considering the verdict for the right to participation in the elections, otherwise this system will be dragged into much deeper crises. The way to end this is with the Constitutional Court.

“THE NORMALIZATION PERIOD SHOULD START”

The most important issue we are dragged into is that the judiciary has completely lost its neutrality. Demirtaş’s biggest stress was on this as he started his campaign. The separation of powers must be reinstated. Values of universal law and human rights must be upheld. This normalization period must be implemented.

Everybody needs the law. We say justice for all, justice for Demirtaş. Let’s protect our votes and our political will. Everybody should speak up wherever they are for the release of Demirtaş as soon as possible.”