Turkey: Police in Ankara release opposition HDP deputy

By Cankut Tasdan

ANKARA

Police in Ankara have released a lawmaker from the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) who was detained early Friday as part of a terrorism probe, according to a police source.

HDP Diyarbakir Deputy Nimetullah Erdogmus had been detained in connection with an ongoing counter-terrorism investigation, said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

The opposition lawmaker was released after appearing at the Ankara 5th High Criminal Court on Friday.

The arrest comes six days after Saturday evening's deadly blasts in Istanbul left 44 dead and dozens of others wounded.

Earlier this week, two HDP deputies – HDP parliamentary group leader Caglar Demirel and Besime Konca – were also detained as part of an investigation in the southeastern provinces of Diyarbakir and Batman.

Last month, 13 HDP lawmakers were arrested, and 10 of them, including HDP Co-Chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, remain in custody awaiting trial on terrorism-related charges.

The lawmakers face prosecution under anti-terrorism legislation after their parliamentary immunity was lifted earlier this year.

The government has accused the HDP of having links to the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU.