DİYARBAKIR- Evaluating the Diyarbakır-based detention operation, ÖHD Co-Chair Ekin Yeter said: "The detention and arrest of lawyers does not comply with the 'legal security principle'. We will never step back from our determination."

 

During the Diyarbakır-based operation, more than 143 people out of 216 people, including journalists, politicians, lawyers and artists, were detained in raids on their homes and workplaces. While 47 of the prisoners were arrested, 86 people were released with judicial control measures.

 

Evaluating the detention operation carried out before the May 14, 28th Term Presidential and General Elections, which is of critical importance for Turkey, Ekin Yeter, Co-Chair of the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), mentioned the reasons for the operation and said that they will not quit the struggle.

 

THERE IS NO CONCRETE EVIDENCE

 

Stating that they have a historic election ahead of them and that such an operation is expected before the election, Yeter said: “The AKP government was already making this felt, so it is increasing its pressure with violations of rights and lawlessness in the region. In this context, we are going through a period in which dozens of our comrades, ÖHD lawyers, journalists, artists and those working in a non-governmental organization are detained and the arrests continue, with the statement of a single 'witness' and a single confessor. This process is totally illegal. There is a case in which the statements made are not supported by any concrete evidence. We do not see this process as justified or legitimate in any way and we do not accept these arrests.”

 

'NOT COMPATIBLE WITH LEGAL SECURITY PRINCIPLE'

 

Emphasizing that the judiciary is not impartial and independent, Yeter said: "The person who testified as a 'witness' in the file does not have the title of 'witness' either. It is incompatible with the 'legal security principal' to issue a detention order for 25 lawyers. Our three colleagues who were arrested are no different from any lawyer practicing in this city. If these three of our colleagues are guilty, we are all guilty; however, we will allocate mechanisms to eliminate these unlawfulnesses. We do not have such a demand from an independent and impartial judiciary. Our struggle will nullify these files, and as always, we will allocate the law.”