Halil Aksoy, a former MP of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) for Ağrı province, was taken into custody on 23 November morning.

The 77-year-old politician was remanded in custody on the grounds of a final judgement made against him. Aksoy was reportedly sentenced to 8 years and 9 months in prison for alleged “membership in a terrorist organization”, meaning the PKK.

The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (HEDEP) Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan said in a statement on the social media that Halil Aksoy was sent to Metris Prison in Istanbul.

“Those who bend the laws to protect the gangs and murderers, are treating the politicians and opposition members with an enemy law. We promise to change this unjust and rotten order. The sentence of 77-year-old Aksoy, who is suffering from serious health problems, should be reprieved, and he should be released immediately.”