HDP Vice Co-chair and Amed MP İdris Baluken who had been released from prison on January 30 was today taken into custody while leaving a hospital in Ankara where he was receiving treatment.

Baluken was formally arrested after giving his statement to Diyarbakır 1st High Criminal Court through video-conference system SEGBİS.

Baluken had been released during his first hearing at Diyarbakır 8th High Criminal Court on January 30.

Diyarbakır 1st High Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him on appeal by the Chief Prosecutor's Office on January 17.

Baluken is being charged with “disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state; being a member of armed terrorist organization; spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization” based on an indictment that lumps together 10 separate files, five based on his participation in rallies and five based on his speeches.

The prosecutor demands aggravated life imprisonment and up to 18 years in jail for Baluken. The accusations are all related to statements he has made in the framework of his mission as a member of the İmralı Delegation and as an executive member of the HDP. Most of the aforementioned charges were put together by prosecutors who are now in prison on charges related to the 15 July coup attempt.