Former HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party) MP Sırrı Süreyya Önder has been imprisoned in Kandıra Prison since 6 December 2018 because of a speech he made at the Newroz event in Istanbul’s Kazlıçeşme area in 2013.

While Istanbul 26th Heavy Penal Court sentenced Önder to 3 years and 6 months in prison for “spreading propaganda for an armed terrorist organisation”, the prison sentence was upheld by Istanbul Regional Court of Justice 2nd Penal Chamber.

Following an evaluation of an appeal filed by Önder against the prison sentence, the Constitutional Court of Turkey (AYM) ruled yesterday that Önder’s freedom of expression has been violated.

After Constitutional Court announced its ruling on Thursday, Istanbul 26th Heavy Penal Court has today ruled for the release of Önder.

Önder has been released from Kandıra No 1 F Type Prison, welcomed outside by HDP deputies Züleyha Gülüm, Ferhat Encü, Saruhan Oluç and Meral Danış Beştaş, CHP (Republican People’s Party) deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu and his family.

Speaking to the crowd outside, Önder said; “The friends have sent you their greetings. We cannot rejoice at release from prison at the moment. We can feel happy only when a democratic and peaceful step is taken. It is of great value that the Constitutional Court made this decision by unanimous vote. I hope it will set an example for other cases as well. After all, we say what we believe. Whatever we said, we said it for peace. We will continue to talk for peace and democracy.”