Sweden Social Democrats MP and Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission Member Anders Österberg visited the HDP stand at the Kista Fair in Stockholm where voting for Turkey’s presidential and parliamentary elections have begun this morning.

Following a conversation with co-chairs of the Kurdish Democratic Society Center in Sweden, Österberg talked to ANF about the elections in Turkey.

Österberg stressed that all members of the HDP and politicial opposition, HDP presidential candidate Selahattin Demirtaş in the first place, must be released in order for fair and equal elections to take place. He said it would not be possible to talk about free elections in Turkey unless this is realized.

Pointing to public opinion polls that show Erdoğan will not be able to get the rate of votes he desires despite all the pressures and unequal conditions, Österberg said; “Our solidarity will continue with all those who fight for democracy, human rights and rule of law.”

Calling for the release of all political prisoners, intellectuals and journalists, Österberg called on all voters to go to the polls and cast their votes for democracy and freedom.