The Central Executive Board of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) issued a statement regarding 44 people, including the former Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Tunç Soyer, who were detained on 2 July as part of an investigation into the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality.

The statement said: "These operations carried out by members of the judiciary in line with political calculations, and the deprivation of freedom of numerous politicians, are as unlawful as they are damaging to the hope of peace.

Tunç Soyer is an important politician who has supported and contributed to the Peace and Democratic Society Process. We consider this stance he has displayed throughout his political career to be valuable and significant. We also see this detention order as an intervention against the demand for peace. We once again express that we condemn the issuing of hasty detention orders in an investigation that could have proceeded through trial without arrest."

The statement added: "The right to a fair trial, the presumption of innocence, and trial without detention are fundamental constitutional rights and universal principles. The truly impartial and independent functioning of justice is a shared demand and right of all our citizens. The DEM Party will continue to stand for justice and the rule of law for everyone. The detention order must be revoked immediately, and Tunç Soyer must be released at once."