Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has released a joint statement of defense after two deputies of the party were summoned to a court earlier today to give their statements following the recent removal of parliamentary immunities.

Deputies of the HDP, which announced earlier that none of their members will go to court voluntarily to testify for crimes they are accused of, will submit the joint statement of defense in the event of being taken to court forcibly.

The HDP statement described this development as an attempt of political elimination, underlining that; “Only my people that elected me can question me for my political activities”.

The joint statement of defense stressed that the AKP government resorted to every way possible for the exclusion of the HDP deputies who constituted the only obstacle to Erdoğan's desire to become Super President.

The statement reads; “We are elected representatives of the people. We represent not individuals but masses that have elected us. I am standing before you as a deputy and Member of the Parliament with immunity. I will never allow disrespect against this identity I represent and the will of my people.

I would never abstain from being called to account before a fair and objective judiciary, however, nor will I ever accept to be a subject of such political trial while judiciary in our country is being trampled on. I bear no hesitation or disrespect towards your personality and entity but I do not accept to be a figurant in this judicial theater staged upon an order of Erdoğan who has a shady political background.

I will answer none of the questions to be directed by your side as I have no trust that any judgment to be made by your side will be fair. It is not judicial officials but politicians that are the objects of politicians in political arena.

In this sense, you should also refuse to be a party to the political games and conspiracies because you as judicial members must be committed to universal and democratic law principles, and international conventions which Turkey is a party to and which also have a constitutional provision.

We will continue our political struggle with commitment until a pluralist democratic regime is built and peace and tranquility is established. Whether we are in parliament or prison, you will not be able to restrain us from defending and fighting for our thoughts,

We have no doubt that we will get rid of this fascist order that is being imposed upon our country and people under the guise of Presidential system. Sooner or later our struggle will triumph and this slummed regime will change. I have no demand or expectation from your side. Only my people that elected me can question me for my political activities."