ANKARA - Former HDP Co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş who stands trial because he said 'Mr. Öcalan the leader of the Kurdish People, said 'Öcalan did a respectable job of contributing to peace. I hope he will have the chance to do more.' in court.
The hearing of the incarcerated People's Democratic Party Former Co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş continues on its second day. Demirtaş attends the hearing held in Sincan Prison Campus by Ankara 19th Criminal Court via video conference from Edirne Type F Prison where he is being held.
Demirtaş have made his defence about the 13th summary of proceedings prepared for the accusation of praising the crime and the criminal.Demirtaş said: "You are judging me here because I said Mr. Öcalan, the leader of the Kurdish people' and that I said he should be visited but The Coast Guard Units of the same state took the delegation of my party to İmralı on Marmara Island. The Coast Guard took me by private boat. I was there for eight of them myself. At least 30 times in Kandil we went to meet with the PKK senior management. They all came with the knowledge, support and approval of the government.
We are not terrorists. I am sure everyone who have a conscience is trying to understand that. Whoever contributes to securing peace and making the blood stop, is doing a respectable job. Öcalan did a respectable job of contributing to peace. I hope he will have the chance to do more."