In Türkiye, the lawyer Can Atalay remains in prison. Elected from the Turkish Workers’ Party (TIP) in the legislative elections of May 14, he had asked for his release under parliamentary immunity. The Court of Cassation refused his request on Thursday. Can Atalay, a figure in Turkish civil society imprisoned in connection with the Gezi trial, is considered a political prisoner by human rights NGOs.
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With our correspondent in Istanbul, Anne Andlauer
As the Minister of Justice suggested a few weeks ago, the Court of Cassation found that Can Atalay could not enjoy parliamentary immunity. The high court relies on an article of the Constitution which deprives of this right those accused of crimes against the State. She therefore refuses his release even though the High Electoral Council had seen no objection to his presenting his candidacy for the legislative elections in May.
A famous lawyer, Can Atalay has been detained since April 2022 as part of the trial of the alleged “leaders” of Gezi, the great protest movement of summer 2013. He was sentenced at first instance to 18 years in prison for “attempting to overthrow of the Republic.
In its decision, the Court of Cassation is justified by also affirming that Can Atalay was in relation with the patron Osman Kavala, the main defendant of this trial of Gezi, who was sentenced to life imprisonment.
The Court of Cassation will soon have to rule on this trial, which has become the symbol of attacks on the rule of law in Turkey. Last week, his attorney general demanded confirmation of the sentences received by seven of the eight defendants, including Can Atalay.