KCK Case Defendants Apply to Constitutional Court

Peace and Democracy Party applied to the Constitutional Court for the release of defendants in KCK case their release, saying that their long arrest periods violated the Constitution Articles 19 (on individual freedom and security rights) and 67 (on right to elect, be elected and involve in political activities). 

“My clients are elected mayors and municipal assembly members who have been jailed for five years. Not only that their individual rights have been violated but also their rights to represent people,” Tahir Elçi told bianet.

“The Constitutional Court had previously set up standards on the issue. However, we know that special-duty courts don’t pay attention to these standards. Normally, local courts must also respect the rulings of the Constitutional Court. We are applying to put a motion on this. We are expecting the Constitutional Court to come up with a rapid decision that will alleviate the situation of jailed defendants.” 

While Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) applied for 88 defendants, the total number of release applications will be 94.

Previously, Turkey’s Constitutional Court released jailed CHP deputy Mustafa Balbay and Kurdish deputies  Selma Irmak, Faysal Sarıyıldız, Gülser Yıldırım, İbrahim Ayhan and Kemal Aktaş, admitting their motions on long term arrest periods within Ergenekon and KCK cases. (EA/BM)