The events following the arrest of HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party) Çaldıran District Co-chair Derya Gönül in the Van province have exposed the injustices in the Turkish legal system once again. Gönül’s home was raided last November when she was arrested at the court hearing, and later placed in the Van Type T Prison. Two weeks ago, her home was raided again by the police who searched the premises claiming that there was an outstanding arrest warrant against Gönül.

“WE CAN’T PROVE THAT THE STATE HAS ALREADY ARRESTED DERYA”

Her family tried to tell the police, “Derya is in prison, go check,” but they responded with, “These are our orders, we must carry out the orders,” and continued with the search. The police failed to locate Derya Gönül at home after the search, and told the family: “If you contact her, tell her that there is an outstanding arrest warrant against her. She should turn herself in.”

Gönül’s relatives said they have been pressured on this issue. They did notify the prosecutor’s office that Derya Gönül is currently in prison: “The state arrested Derya, but we can’t prove that she is in prison. We notified the prosecutor’s office. We hope we won’t be subjected to any more pressure on this.”