Photo Credit: Ömer Yasin Ergin / AA
Published by Bianet on October 20, 2015
Diyarbakır Bar President Tahir Elçi has been released after his testimony was taken in İstanbul.
A warrant had been issued for Diyarbakır Bar President Tahir Elçi’s arrest by Bakırköy Criminal Court of Peace on the ground that he said “Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) is not a terrorist organization”. Elçi was sent to the court for arrest and released by the court afterwards.
bianet obtained information that Elçi will be on trial this morning at Bakırköy Courthouse.
It was claimed that “Elçi hid away and he couldn’t be found in spite of the efforts”.
Former Bar President Mehmet Emin Aktar was also taken to İstanbul along with Elçi. Aktar tweeted:
“We are here in İstanbul with Bar President Tahir Elçi. He neither hid nor escaped. Their aim is not to investigate but to insult us. We won’t let this happen.”
Police raided the bar association
Anti-terror branch team by an armored police vehicle along with riot policemen raided Diyarbakır Bar Association last night and submitted the court’s warrant issue to Elçi.
Upon the request of Prosecution
Public Prosecutor of Bakırköy had launched an investigation against Tahir Elçi when he remarked:
“PKK is an armed political movement even though some of its actions have the characteristics of terrorism. It is a political movement which has been greatly supported and has political demands.”
Bakırköy 2nd Criminal Court of Peace issued a warrant for Elçi’s arrest with allegations of “propagandizing terrorist organization”.
Arrested while waiting for an invitation
Tahir Elçi stated that he learned from the media that an investigation had been launched against him and he was waiting at his office for the invitation to give his testimony. However, Elçi wasn’t invited although he had waited until the evening, according to him.
Union of Bars of Turkey: It’s against the law
Union of Bars of Turkey (TBB) made a written statement:
“Elçi’s workplace and residential address are evident. Lawyer Elçi declared he learned from media that an investigation was launched against him and he waited for the invitation at his office. The issue warrant for Elçi’s arrest submitted from Bakırköy 2nd Criminal Court of Peace is clearly against the law.” (AS/BD)
Click here to read the article in Turkish
