The Turkish state prefers Kurds to take up arms rather than engage in democratic politics, stated jailed Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtaş, in his first post-conviction interview published on Friday.
“The Turkish state has always preferred war and violence over politics, and this mentality has not changed today. It believes it can eliminate the Kurds by fighting but thinks it is impossible to overcome them politically. For this reason, it has always perceived Kurdish politicians as a great threat and treated them harshly. If it were up to the state, it would prefer all of us to take up arms and fight us and kill us. However, we believe that the solution will not come about through arms, so we chose peaceful democratic politics,” said Demirtaş, answering the questions of T24’s Murat Sabuncu through his lawyers from Edirne Prison.
On Thursday, former co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Demirtaş received a 42-year prison sentence in a case that has ignited widespread controversy. Observers argue the verdict is not legal but political, aiming to silence Kurdish political movements. “The Turkish state deems Kurds engaging in democratic politics and gaining strength this way to be a greater danger than if they take up arms in the mountains,” Demirtaş stated.
The trial, which has been a focal point of public debate in Turkey, accused Demirtaş and others of various offences, including incitement and undermining state unity. The prosecution’s case relied heavily on Demirtaş’s speeches and social media posts. “All the punishments were given for a tweet and a few of my rally speeches,” he explained, stressing that no support for violence or violent acts were involved.
Demirtaş also emphasised his unwavering commitment to peace. “Our main goal, like our friends who are currently [still] in politics, is to achieve a non-violent solution,” he asserted. Despite his lengthy sentence, Demirtaş remains resolute. “We resist with all our strength on behalf of the people, and we draw morale from them too. We will not bow our heads, we will not fall on our knees,” he declared.
The verdict also impacts other Kurdish politicians, including Ahmet Türk, who received a 10-year sentence. These decisions are viewed as part of a broader effort to suppress Kurdish political representation. The outcomes of the Kobani trial may influence the ongoing case to shut down the HDP, as its findings are integral to the closure case against the party.
You can read the full interview below, translated by MedyaNews.
“They hid and protected the real perpetrators in the murders of the people killed on 6-8 October”
In the last part of your defence in the Kobani Case, you said: “I will not give you the opportunity to read the decision to my face. You will read it to yourselves. This is my testament to my wife, my family, my daughters and all my people: When the decision is announced, you should greet it with dancing, celebration and cheers. Because that is how we will greet it here. We would rather die than live dishonourably by compromising on this.” How did you hear the decision, and how did you respond to it?
The decision announced by the court was actually made years ago by the government and its partners and was repeatedly declared in the streets and squares at [political] rallies. The reading out of the political decision by the bench of the severe penalty court was a mere formality.
We watched the decision on TV in our cell. It was not a surprise either for me or for [former Diyarbakır (Amed) Co-mayor] Selçuk Mızraklı. We had already anticipated it and were prepared in every way. We faced it with strength and morale.
While we resist with all our strength on behalf of the people, we draw our morale from our people too. No one should worry; We will not bow our heads, we will not fall on our knees. Just as our people stand upright and honourable, so will we also be worthy of them, and we will never let our people down.
“They called us ‘murderers’ and ‘terrorists’, making us election materia. If the ECtHR decision had been implemented, we would have been acquitted”
From the moment the indictment was published, numerous lawyers have stated that this is not a legal case but a political one. However, as a result of it, you were sentenced to a total of over 42 years for various charges, including 20 years for aiding in undermining the unity and integrity of the state, 4 years and 6 months for inciting crime, 2 years and 6 months for your Newroz speech and 18 months for encouraging people to disobey the law. How do you comment on that?
All the sentences given were based on a tweet and a few speeches I made at rallies. That is, they are based on perceptions created by years of lies and slander. No sentence was imposed for any act of violence or for inciting or supporting violence. A 42-year sentence was imposed simply for my thoughts and things I said. This once again proves that the case is a political one and the sentences politically motivated.
The main claim in the case was that ‘people were killed’. You were specifically accused of responsibility for these deaths both legally and politically. All defendants were acquitted on this issue. How do you evaluate this?
Of course we did not kill or injure anyone, we did not even harm an ant. The state, the government, and the court bench all know this very well. However, they labelled us “murderers, terrorists” for years, creating polarisation and using this as election material, while hiding and protecting the real perpetrators of [murders of] the people killed on 6-8 October. It is clear from this that most of the perpetrators of the deaths were somehow connected to the state, and they protected them by targeting us.
There was zero evidence in the case file, and those accusing us of murder knew this, but they blatantly lied and managed to deceive a section of the public.
I want to reiterate that the entire 42-year sentence was given because of my speeches, which were all deemed within the scope of freedom of expression by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). If the ECtHR decision had been implemented, this case would have resulted in acquittal. I have no doubt that one day we will all be acquitted.
“Sentences in the Kobani case may affect the HDP closure case”
Ahmet Türk, Co-mayor of Mardin Metropolitan Municipality, was also sentenced to 10 years in prison. Does this mean a new government-appointed trustee [in his place]?
I am very sad for all the friends who were sentenced, especially Ahmet Türk. All the sentences given to our friends are unlawful and are politically motivated revenge sentences. Of course, they can use these sentences as a pretext to appoint trustees. I hope that doesn’t happen, but unfortunately, this danger exists.
One of the main pillars of the case opened by the Chief State Prosecution of the Court of Cassation on 21 June 2021 demanding the closure of the HDP is the Kobani case. A large part of the indictment of the closure case consists of the indictment of the Kobani case. Additionally, there are the Kobani case defendants among the 687 people fthe prosecution demands be banned from politics. After today’s decision, how do you think the HDP closure case will evolve?
The sentencings in the Kobani show trial may influence the HDP closure case. The Constitutional Court is also a judicial body that acts politically and follows the government’s lead. If they close the HDP, they will once again trample on the law, and this would be no surprise, because lawlessness and injustice are the norms of this government, unfortunately.
“We chose peaceful democratic politics because we believe that arms will not bring about solutions”
In a part of your defence, which you said you made not to the court but to the people and to history, you recalled: “When I was a young lawyer, Democracy Party (DEP) deputies Leyla Zana, Hatip Dicle and Orhan Doğan were being retried following an ECtHR decision. I was at university when they were arrested. During their second trial, I was their lawyer. They were arrested as MPs. Their immunities were lifted unlawfully. They were tried in the State Security Court.” Do you see the current situation as a continuation of efforts, past and present, to shut Kurds out of democratic politics in Turkey?
To start with, everyone should be sure that all politicians who have been handed severe sentences in the Kobani conspiracy case are pro-peace, have worked for peace, and have always advocated for democratic politics. Like our friends who are currently [still] engaged in politics outside, our main goal is to achieve a non-violent, peaceful solution. But the Turkish state deems Kurds engaging in democratic politics and gaining strength this way to be a greater danger than if they take up arms in the mountains.
The Turkish state has always preferred war and violence over politics, and this mentality has not changed today. It believes it can eliminate the Kurds by fighting but thinks it is impossible to overcome them politically. For this reason, it has always perceived Kurdish politicians as a great threat and treated them harshly. If it were up to the state, it would prefer all of us to take up arms and fight us and kill us. However, we believe that the solution will not come about through arms, so we chose peaceful democratic politics. But from the state’s perspective, whether it’s a Kurdish politician engaging in democratic politics, a Kurd going to the mountains, or even a Kurdish cat or chicken, they are all considered terrorists and must be eliminated. As long as this mentality does not change, it will not take a path towards a solution in the issue of Kurdish rights.
“So the ‘softening and normalisation’ initiatives do not include the Kurds”
How do the decisions made accord with the recent talks between the government and the opposition of ‘softening, normalisation’?
Honestly, it would be better if the politicians involved in the ‘normalisation and softening’ initiatives answered this question. I are in a prison cell, and here, nothing has been normal for years, not even for a single second. Of course, dialogue in politics is important, being able to talk is valuable and necessary. But we are also politicians and the elected representatives of the people, and since they are imposing severe sentences instead of talking with us, this implies that the ‘softening and normalisation’ do not include the Kurds and their friends.
“It is Erdoğan and Öcalan who can take initiative to stop the war”
In a message you sent to the “Conference on the Solution of the Kurdish Issue and Peace” organised by the Human Rights Association (İHD), you said that if a table is to be set up for the solution of the Kurdish issue, the government should also be at this table, and you added: “Since the government is currently represented by Mr Erdoğan, he is the primary interlocutor. Mr Öcalan, whose legitimacy is also registered in the state’s official memory based on past experiences, is another interlocutor.” Do you think Erdoğan still stands as the primary interlocutor?
I sincerely wish and hope for a stop to the deaths and bloodshed. It is Erdoğan and [imprisoned leader of Kurdistan Workers’ Party] Öcalan who can take the initiative to stop this war. If they can take this initiative to stop the war and find a solution, if they can create the conditions for this, if the isolation [imposed on Öcalan] is lifted and negotiations begin, I personally would support it to the end. Just because I have been sentenced does not mean I would say “let it all go to ruin”. As long as a democratic solution and peace are achieved, I would not hesitate to support it. My views on this matter have not changed just because I have been handed a severe sentence.
Before the 31 March elections, there were calls on Erdoğan to “take the solution process out back of the freezer”. What do you think will happen next?
Yes, the solution process needs to be taken out of the freezer. We will continue to advocate for a democratic, peaceful solution. It remains to be seen what steps President Erdoğan will take next, whether he will become more severe or start initiatives to end all these injustices and conflicts. However, our peaceful stance and openness to dialogue are clear. We will not and cannot step back from this principled stance, it is a requuirement of our responsibility to the people.
“One reason I left active politics is the political leeches; we will face ll them when I get out”
You mentioned some time ago that you had withdrawn from active politics and had stopped your intensive writing and speaking activities since before 2023. What will you do after this decision?
I have left active politics and do not plan to return. Because, from my perspective, the conditions are not right. Besides, the statements I make from here are sometimes distorted, sometimes misunderstood or exploited. Therefore, I do not intend to get involved in daily politics in any way.
I would also like to say frankly that certain mentalities entrenched in politics were very disturbed by my political struggle from here. Outside, people who would not dare to say two words to my face, because I am in prison and cannot respond, have not stopped throwing slanders and insults behind my back. When I get out, we will face all of them, of course, but our people should know that one reason we have been kept inside for so long and given heavy sentences is these political merchants. When the time comes, rest assured that we will shake off all these political leeches from our people’s backs.
Our comrades outside should also be cautious and sensitive to these disgraced elements who engage in every kind of unscrupulous behaviour for a seat and should not fall for their rumours and slanders.
It is more important than who they are, it is this mentality that matters. This mentality should be rejected, and they should not be used as tools. Anyone who gains prominence or a seat by being against Demirtaş is not a friend of the people. Because my fellow prisoners and I are the resisting children of this people and the results of this struggle. It is not about me personally; anyone who attacks these values through me is either objectively or subjectively malicious.
One reason I left active politics is the political leeches I mentioned, and unfortunately, in some cases, value is still given to these leeches. However, as the children of our people and the politicians raised by this movement, we will not hand over the party or the struggle to this mentality. If our headquarters are more sensitive and careful, no one can harm our struggle or our unity.
“I left active politics, but I might start writing a regular column; everyone should be ready for this”
What with all of this, I must say; I will not be involved in daily politics, but of course, I can write articles. I might start writing a regular column; I have not decided yet. However, it is clear that what I say and write does not bind the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party in any way, and no one should perceive it this way. I am not an executive, representative, spokesperson or even a member of the DEM Party. The DEM Party is, of course, our party, and the party leadership is running its politics, and they will continue to do so. I can only share my personal views. And I will say this openly: I will not hesitate to publicly criticise anyone who does things wrong in politics or does not prioritise the people. Everyone should be prepared for this from now on.
“They will see and hear that I am giving very clear answers now”
While being careful not to interfere with party policies, I will not hesitate to criticise the mistakes of politicians. For example, some politicians, journalists and writers on the outside are very bold in expressing their thoughts about me, which is their right. They can criticise as much as they want and I respect that. But now they will see and hear that I will give very clear answers and I know that this will be respected as well.
Finally, through you, myself and Selçuk, [Co-mayor of Diyarbakır] send my warm greetings and love to all our people and friends.
These days will pass, and what will remain will be the notes written in history by those who resisted with honour. We will not forget our friends who stood by us unconditionally throughout this process, nor those who dug pits behind our backs or the powerful who tried to eliminate us.
Our morale is as high and we are as strong and resilient as ever. And there is no doubt we will win. Berxwedan jîyan e! (Resistance is life!)
With greetings and love…
