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The decision was read out in parliament in Ankara in Atalay’s absence. Atalay has been imprisoned since April 2022, despite the Constitutional Court ordering his release.
Opposition MPs repeatedly interrupted the reading of the decision with boos and held up signs reading “Freedom for Can Atalay.” This leaves Atalay’s Workers’ Party with only three seats in parliament.
The human rights lawyer’s case had plunged the Turkish legal system into crisis. Atalay was sentenced to 18 years in prison in April 2022 in connection with the 2013 anti-government protests for complicity in an attempted coup. He was elected MP in the May 2023 parliamentary elections and should have been released as a result, according to his lawyer. His judgment was not final at this time.
The Constitutional Court ordered Atalay’s release in October, but the Court of Cassation decided not to implement this order. The verdict against Atalay in the so-called Gezi trial is now legally binding. It is considered politically motivated and has been declared illegal by the European Court of Human Rights.
The 2013 Gezi protests also specifically targeted then-Prime Minister and current President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
(SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
