Erdogan Ally Floats Releasing Demirtas, After Years of Strategic Silence
Devlet Bahceli, leader of the MHP and a key Erdogan ally, is now suggesting the possibility of freeing Selahattin Demirtas, the former co-chair of the pro-Kurdish HDP. Demirtas, once a prominent political figure and presidential candidate, has been jailed since 2016 on 'terrorism' charges, which international observers and human rights groups widely consider politically motivated. (It’s amazing
how Turkey's definition of 'terrorism' always seems to include popular opposition leaders.) This sudden 'possibility' emerges (according to The New Arab) just as Erdogan's ruling AKP faces increasing pressure and sliding popularity. Funny how judicial flexibility always finds its way to the surface when the ballot box looms large, isn't it? One might wonder if human rights and rule of law are
merely talking points to be deployed or discarded based on immediate political convenience.