Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy and human rights defender Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu on Thursday reported a new case of a pregnant woman detained in Turkey despite a law stipulating that a pregnant woman be tried without being incarcerated.
One of the few people who speak out on behalf of over 700 young children accompanying their mothers in pre-trial detention, Gergerlioğlu announced on Twitter that Funda Belde, who is seven months pregnant, was sent to jail along with her 2-year-old child.
The incident took place in Turkey’s Tokat province.
Gergerlioğlu noted the illegality of jailing of a pregnant woman, saying that under a now-ended state of emergency hundreds of women endured a similar ordeal.
Since a failed coup attempt in July 2016 Turkey has been conducting a massive witch-hunt against people from all walks of life on charges of “coup involvement.” Many women jailed with their young children, immediately after delivery or while pregnant are believed to be linked to the faith-based Gülen movement.
The government of Turkey holds the movement responsible for the coup attempt and persecutes its real and perceived followers often without due process.
The Gülen movement denies any involvement in the abortive putsch.