Demirtaş: This empire of fear will no doubt be dispersed soon

Message from our imprisoned co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş via his lawyers:

The fact that we, along with our members of parliament, were taken hostage as the result of what amounts to a civilian coup d’état is not merely an attack on us as individuals.

This is a new step taken by those who have, step by step, implemented various plots to consolidate a one-man rule [in Turkey].

It should not be forgotten that this attack, aimed at us, defenders of a sisterly, equal, free and peaceful life in our country, is also a joint attack on all forces of democracy.

There is no doubt that the only way out is to stand shoulder to shoulder whatever the circumstances may be against such regimes and to spread the common struggle against fascism.

We expect and wish that the European public and Europe’s democratic institutions display a much more effective and productive stance against these unlawful acts of oppression.

This empire of fear will no doubt be dispersed soon. We will continue our struggle under all conditions and without losing our faith in democratic politics. Even if we are between four walls, we will continue to be part of the struggle outside, and benefit from the joy of the never-ending halay of freedom –never forgetting that we are all under the same sky. 

I would like to extend my special regards and love to all my comrades, to our youth, and to our women friends. 


Selahattin Demirtaş, 7 November 2016