A delegation from the Party of European Socialists (PES) wanted to pay a visit to HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş who is imprisoned in Edirne province.

Turkish police acting by the Governor's instruction prevented the PES delegation members who therewith made a press statement in a field 200 mt to the prison.

PES PRESIDENT: WE ARE HERE TO EXPRESS OUR CONCERNS

PES President Sergei Stanishev leading the delegation spoke at the press briefing, saying they have heavy criticism toward Turkey. Stanishev said they are paying this visit to Turkey in order to express their concerns, stressing that democratic circles are being targeted today with the coup attempt of July 15 being used as an excuse.

Stanishev described the pressure against HDP as unacceptable, remarking that these detainments, arrests and pressures are aimed to finish the HDP, a democratic party voted for by millions.

PES President said Turkey is important to the EU but the matter of freedoms is a key issue, noting that they will tell the European institutions and concerned organs about the scene they have faced with in Turkey.

GERMAN PARLIAMENTARIAN: WE ARE CONCERNED

German parliamentarian Arne Lietz -member of the European Parliament; SPD – said they are concerned over the pressure against journalists and academics, pointing out that Turkey executes the "terror act" in a negative manner.

Lietz remarked that Turkey would not be granted visa-free travel throughout Europe unless it fulfilled its responsibilities.

SWEDISH PARLIAMENTARIAN: WE ARE HERE FOR SOLIDARITY

Swedish parliamentarian Marie Granlund from the Social Democratic Party also voiced concerns over the developments in Turkey during the recent process, including the imprisonment process of HDP Co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş.

Granlund said: "We are here today for solidarity, which we can do at least. We will tell about the situation here once we are back in Sweden."

ITALIAN PARLIAMENTARIAN: REPRESSION UNACCEPTABLE

Speaking after, Italian parliamentarian Pia Locatelli said repression against democratic circles is unaccaptable, and criticised the AKP's law draft that legalizes sexual abuse.

ÖZSOY: CO-CHAIRS KEPT IN ISOLATION

HDP Vice Co-chair Hişyar Özsoy In Charge of Foreign Relations also spoke, remarking that the government did not allow any of the delegations that have asked to visit Demirtaş and other jailed HDP MPs in prison.

Özsoy underlined that the aim of the isolation of HDP representatives was to sever their ties with the people.