Lawyers added that the investigation was opened as a result of the statements given by an informer to the Erzurum Prosecutor's Office.

17 politicians, including HDK co-spokesperson Sedat Şenoğlu, who were detained on September 8 within the scope of the investigation launched by Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against members and executives of the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), have been accused of "membership of an illegal organization" and "making propaganda" when they appeared in court.

The detained politicians were prevented from meeting with their lawyers at the Istanbul Provincial Security Directorate, and their defense rights were thus prevented.

Lawyers of the detained politicians spoke to Etkin News Agency (ETHA) regarding the investigation.

Noting that the political identities and work of those arrested on the grounds of "strong suspicion of being a member of an illegal organization" are actually known by everyone, the lawyers stated that "carrying out such an operation by raiding their houses and keeping them under custody for days is a problem in itself".

Lawyers shared the following information regarding the content of the investigation: “Sedat Şenoğlu, HDK co-spokesperson is being investigated on the basis of funerals he attended. Çiçek Otlu is the previous co-chair of the ESP. Many socialists for whom arrest warrants have been issued have been previously under investigation with similar allegations. If there is new evidence, it should have been sent with these files. A new investigation file has been opened on the grounds of the statements made by a confessor to the Erzurum Prosecutor's Office. The reason for the arrest is fear of escape and hiding evidences. Many of the people arrested are politicians and public figures.”

Stating that the confessors' statements do not have a legal basis, the lawyers added that the fact that the people arrested were prevented from meeting with their lawyers is a continuation of the long-standing lawlessness towards the right to defense.