İstanbul Esenyurt Co-Chairs of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) were detained on the grounds that the posters of Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), were found in the HDP Esenyurt office in a police raid a few days ago.

 

Held in detention for 6 days, Ercan Sağlam and Dilan Kılıç, the Esenyurt Co-Chairs of the party, were referred to the prosecutor's office yesterday (January 31). After giving their statements, they were referred to the Penal Judgeship of Peace on Duty with a request for their arrest.

 

While Ercan Sağlam has been arrested on charge of "being a member of a terrorist organization", Dilan Kılıç has been released on probation.

 

BACKGROUND

 

The video captured and shared on social media by the Esenyurt District Municipality personnel during the disinfection works led to a police raid on the HDP Esenyurt office in İstanbul on January 24 on the grounds that there were pictures of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan.

 

Co-Chairs Kılıç and Sağlam were detained after the raid. They were then released after giving their statements. They were detained for the second time on January 25. HDP Esenyurt Co-Chairs Kılıç and Sağlam were referred to the prosecutor's office after being detained for six days.