Dilan Dirayet Taşdemir, a pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy, was released after being detained on Sunday in Muş province where she was campaigning for “no” votes in a critical referendum on April 16 on a constitutional package introducing an executive presidency in Turkey, DHA reported.
According to the report, Taşdemir was detained in the early morning by police at her hotel in Muş in order to testify in an investigation into her in Mersin. The court released her following her testimony.
Taşdemir was also temporarily detained in the Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı province on March 20.
Turkey has stepped up political pressure on Kurdish politicians in recent months. In addition to the appointment of trustees to the management of scores of municipalities, Turkey has arrested dozens of Kurdish politicians, among them 13 HDP deputies, including the party’s co-chairs.
On Saturday, a court in Turkey’s Şanlıurfa province banned pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) billboards prepared to promote a “no” vote in the referendum.
Last week the Şırnak Governor’s Office announced that the HDP official referendum campaign song, “Bejin Na‘’ (Say No), has been banned in Şırnak for “inciting hatred and hostility among the people.”
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), backed by the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), pushed through the legislation that President Erdoğan says will bring the strong leadership needed to prevent a return of the fragile coalition governments of the past.
The Republican People’s Party (CHP) and pro-Kurdish HDP fear the reform will fuel authoritarianism.
The reform will enable Erdoğan to appoint and dismiss government ministers, take back the leadership of the ruling party and govern until 2029.