Dilek Hatipoğlu and Nurullah Çiftçi, former co-mayors of Hakkari, are on re-trial after the Constitutional Court (AYM) ruled that their right to a fair trial was violated.

Hatipoğlu and Çiftçi as well as their lawyers attended the hearing held at the Hakkari 2nd High Criminal Court on Monday. Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Deputy Sait Dede and the HDP former co-mayor of Erciş, Diba Keskin, as well as numerous people attended the hearing.

In her plea, Dilek Hatipoğlu recalled that a fair trial had not been held for the last 8 years. She said: “Conditions of a fair trial are a fundamental right which must be respected. The court must secure appropriate conditions and time to use my right to defence. Prison conditions are not conducive to a fair trial. Following the ruling of the Constitutional Court, I was brought from the prison, which is 1,300 kilometres away, for the hearing. My transportation by a prisoner transfer vehicle and my solitary confinement for 15 days in the prison to which I was transferred, have posed obstacles to my defence. I demand appropriate conditions for a fair trial and defence and my release.”

Speaking after, Nurullah Çiftçi pointed out that he was deprived of his right to defence as he had been detained for 8 years.

Çiftçi said: “Transportation by a ring vehicle from the prison, which is hundreds of kilometres away, is an obstacle to my right to defence. The distance of the road and prison conditions prevent me from defending myself mentally and physically. I demand the suspension of execution of a penalty, fair trial conditions and my release.”

The court regarded the plea for a fair trial as a use of the “right to remain silent”.

In its opinion on the merits, the prosecutor demanded that the previous court ruling be upheld, and it be concluded that there is no need for the suspension of execution of the penalty.

The court rejected the plea for release, upholding the previous sentence of 11 years and 3 months for each co-mayor.