The trial of the co-mayor of Amed Metropolitan Municipality, Gültan Kışanak, and the co-chair of the DBP, Sebahat Tuncel was held two days ago in Malatya’s 1st Heavy Penal Court. Kişanak was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months for ‘membership of the organization’ and 3 years for ‘propaganda’ while Tuncel was sentenced to 9 years and 9 months for ‘membership of the organization’ and 5 years and 3 months for ‘propaganda’ charges.

Herbert Schmalstieg, the former mayor of Hannover city in Germany, reacted to the verdict, and demanded the immediate release of both Kurdish politicians. He remarked that the prison sentences given to Kışanak and Tuncel once again showed the true face of the courts working under Erdogan’s regime.

“I have learned that the two Kurdish politicians were sentenced after 28 months of imprisonment. The heavy sentences prove that the law in Turkey is not independent, and there are defects in all fundamental values,” said Schmalstieg.

“The imprisonment of Kışanak and Tuncel shows that Turkey moves on the path of Nazi Germany. I expect that the Federal Government, the European Union and political parties with their fractions in the Bundestag will engage in efforts in order to turn Turkey into a state of law. I also demand the release of all political prisoners,” said the social democrat politician.

Herbert Schmalstieg served as mayor of Hannover during 1972-2006. He is also the spokesperson of the Hanover-Amed Friendship group.

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