News Center- The 15th hearing of the Kobanê Trial, in which 108 politicians of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) are charged with “disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state” during the Kobani protests in October 2014, has been held.

Before the hearing, the 1000 Women For Freedom to Aysel Tuğluk, a campaign group demanding the release of Aysel Tuğluk, and politicians issued a joint press statement in front of the Sincan Prison Campus for Aysel Tuğluk with the participation of Prof. Dr. Yasemin Özgün from the 1000 Women For Freedom to Aysel Tuğluk, Socialist Re-establishment Party (SYKP) Co-Chair Canan Yüce, Labour Movement Party (EHP) Ankara Provincial Spokeswoman Senem Deniz, Labour Party (EMEP) Deputy Chair Şükran Doğan, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Advisory Board Member Şebnem Oğuz, many politicians and lawyers.

Prof. Dr. Yasemin Özgün read the statement. She said that Aysel Tuğluk’s progressing dementia makes it impossible for her to stay in prison.

“Aysel Tuğluk remains in prison despite her illnesses”

“Unfortunately, Aysel Tuğluk can no longer meet her needs and maintain her personal care without assistance. We all know that Aysel Tuğluk cannot not stay in prison according to the medical examinations carried out by Kocaeli University Forensic Medicine Department months ago. However, Aysel Tuğluk remains in prison because of the reports issued by the Forensic Medicine Institute,” the statement said.

The statement recalling that national and international legislation clearly allows the release of sick prisoners in order to continue their treatment outside effectively noted that the rights of Aysel Tuğluk and sick prisoners are violated.

The statement read, “In fact, a healthy life is one of the most basic rights granted to everyone, without exception. Based on this fundamental right, Aysel Tuğluk must be released immediately in order to receive treatment. She has not been released for 505 days. Her illness is irrevocably getting worse. Her right to defense, which can be used effectively after treatment, has been de facto taken away from her. However, the court has been forcing Aysel Tuğluk to testify, and if she is unable to do so, she is advised to come to the court and say that she cannot testify, or to be defended by her lawyer.”

Call on the public opinion

The statement also said, “The attitude of the court is the violation of her right to defense. Before giving her the opportunity to receive treatment, forcing Aysel Tuğluk to testify in court would be a violation of her right to defense. This attitude, which prevents her from receiving treatment, has become a form of torture. The torture against Aysel Tuğluk must end immediately. We call on the democratic public opinion of Turkey to embrace this call in the strongest way and to raise their voices for Aysel Tuğluk.”