The imposition of handcuffs for arrested HDP co-chairs and MPs continues. After HDP Co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş was forced to attend his hearing in handcuffs, which he refused, this time HDP MP Abdullah Zeydan was attempted to be taken to the hospital for his colonoscopy appointment in handcuffs.

Abdullah Zeydan who shares a cell with Selahattin Demirtaş in the Edirne Type F Prison has shared the following via his lawyers:

“I was taken to the Trakya University Hospital approximately 20 days ago due to a stomach condition. After tests, I was told I needed a colonoscopy for the diagnosis and that I would be taken back to the hospital on August 15 for the colonoscopy.

I went on a strict diet and medication for 5 days for the colonoscopy on the given date. When I was supposed to be taken to the hospital, the gendarmerie personnel under the Interior Ministry told me they are to handcuff me per the orders they received. Then I told them I do not accept the Interior Ministry, who didn’t order the ISIS member who killed a police officer to be handcuffed, ordering a HDP MP who represents the will of the people to be handcuffed. I told them that accepting to be handcuffed would be disrespectful to the will of the people.

The Interior Ministry imposing handcuffing to a current member of parliament who represents the will of millions of people and who still has parliamentary immunity is the hatred and grudge harbored by the AKP government against our people put into practice. Nobody should doubt that whatever the cost may be, we will uphold the will of our people with dignity in a way that is worthy of our people.”

Zeydan was not taken to the hospital as he refused to be handcuffed.