Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…: It is learned from the news coverage of November 18, 2020 that, in Ağrı Patnos L Type Prison, prisoners were not given hot water and the water provided was dirty.
Arrested Writer in Ankara…: It is learned that Kurdish Writers’ Association executive Nezir Çakan who was detained through an Ankara based investigation on Kobanê protests in 2014, in Diyarbakır on November 12, 2020 and who was taken to Ankara for investigation, is arrested by the court on November 16, 2020.
Detained HDP and TUAY-DER Executives and Other People in Istanbul…: On November 18, 2020, 6 people including executives of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and Solidarity Association of Prisoners’ Families (TUAY-DER) are detained in house raids in Istanbul. Detained people are: HDP Sultanbeyli district co-chair Alamettin Demir, TUAY-DER executives Edip İrverdi and Metin İbik, Hikmet Akdemir, Kenan Erdemir and Abidin Kaplan.
Detained Person in Urfa…: On November 18, 2020, 1 person (Şehriban Mimkara) is detained in a house raid in Siverek district of Urfa. The reason of detention is unknown.
The Case Against Diyarbakır Bar Association Executive Board Former Members…: The first trial of the case against 11 lawyers (Ahmet Özmen, Mahsum Bati, Nuşin Uysal Ekinci, Cihan Ülsen, Sertaç Buluttekin, Muhammet Neşet Girasun, Serhat Eren, İmran Gökdere, Velat Alan, Ahmet Dağ and Nahit Eren), members of previous executive board of Diyarbakır Bar Association, is held at Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 13 on November 18, 2020.
The indictment demands sentence for 11 lawyers on the charges of violating Article 216 (provoking hatred and hostility among people) and Article 301 (degrading Turkish Nation, State of Turkish Republic, the organs and institutions of the State) of Turkish Penal Code. Lawyers are charged for the expression “Armenian Genocide” stated in the Bar Association’s declaration on April 24, 2017; the expression “Kurdistan” in anther declaration and the report on killing of a civilian in Oğul village of Hakkari.
The court rejected demand of lawyers for abatement of action on the grounds that accusation related to Article 301 of Turkish Penal Code has to be first permitted by the Ministry of Justice. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to February 17, 2021.
The Case Against Former HDP MP…: The trial of the case against People’s Democratic Party (HDP) former Hakkari MP who has been stripped of MP status and Democratic Society Congress (DTK) co-chair Leyla Güven, for her declarations about Turkish Armed Forces operation to Afrin and her activities within DTK, is held at Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 9 on November 18, 2020. The prosecutor declared legal opinion on the case and demanded sentence for Leyla Güven on the charges of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’. The court adjourned the trial to December 21, 2020.
The Case Against Former Co-mayor and Former DBP Co-chair…: Malatya Heavy Penal Court No 5 has sentenced Gültan Kışanak, former co-mayor of Diyarbakır, to 14 years and 3 months; and Sebahat Tuncel, former co-chair of Democratic Regions Party (DBP), to 15 years; and Penal Department No 18 of Antep Regional Court has reversed the verdict.
The retrial is held at Malatya Heavy Penal Court No 5 on November 18, 2020. Gültan Kışanak and Sebahat Tuncel joined the trial via sound and vision system. The prosecutor declared legal opinion on the case and demanded sentence for Gültan Kışanak and Sebahat Tuncel on the charges of ‘leading an illegal organisation’ and ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’. The court decided to continue detention of Kışanak and Tuncel and adjourned the trial to January 6, 2021.
Lawyers on Trial in Bursa…: The final trial of the case against 12 people including lawyers Levent Pişkin, Cahit Kırkazak and Ayşe Batumlu, on the charges of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ is held at Bursa Heavy Penal Court No 8 on November 18, 2020. It is learned that the audience including parliamentary members from HDP were not allowed in the courtroom on the grounds of precautions for Covid-19. The court acquitted 12 people.
Constitutional Court Decision on Torture and Ill-Treatment…: It is learned from the news coverage of November 18, 2020 that, the Constitutional Court concluded on the appeal made on July 12, 2017 by Cem Kuru, a prisoner in Izmir F Type High Security Prison No 2. Cem Kuru had reported that he was kept in an observation room with cable straps on his hands and feet, and was subjected to torture and ill-treatment of two wardens, between December 9 and December 12, in 2016. The Constitutional Court ruled that the ban on torture and ill-treatment was violated and Cem Kuru should be paid 20,000 Turkish Liras as a compensation.
Proceedings Against Parliamentary Members…: It is learned from the news coverage of November 18, 2020 that, 2 proceedings demanding lift of impunity of 2 parliamentary members are submitted to Grand National Assembly.
Parliamentary members subjected to proceedings are: HDP Tunceli MP Alican Önlü; HDP Iğdır MP Habip Eksik.
Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…: On November 18, 2020, 21 of 69 people who were detained through an Ankara based investigation, are arrested by the court. 48 people are released on judicial control conditions. 9 of 25 people who were detained through a Niğde based investigation are released by the court on judicial control conditions on November 18, 2020. It is learned that 16 people are still under custody.
Covid-19 Pandemic…: The Ministry of Health declared that 116 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 4,215 new Covid-19 ill patients were diagnosed on November 18, 2020. The death toll from Covid-19 in Turkey increased to 11,820 and total number of confirmed ill patients is 425,628 as of November 18, 2020. (HRFT All Report )
