Bülent Arınç Visits Demirtaş and Kavala in Prison, Predicts Imminent Release

WISE NEWS PRESS / ANKARA, TÜRKİYE — NOVEMBER 15, 2025

Bülent Arınç, the 22nd Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, has revealed that he visited former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş and businessman Osman Kavala, who is imprisoned in the Gezi trial. Arınç stated that both figures are awaiting the implementation of rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the Turkish Constitutional Court (AYM).

Arınç, who was forced to resign from the Presidential High Advisory Board in 2020 after advocating for the release of Demirtaş and Kavala, publicly stated that he expects their release soon: "I assume these releases will now happen in the coming days."

Surprised by Lack of Hatred

Arınç said he spent an hour with each prisoner and offered an emotional assessment of their state of mind:

"In both of them, there is no hatred, no grudge against anyone. I was actually astonished by this."

Arınç noted that he saw Demirtaş looking somewhat thinner, but confirmed both men were in good health.

Defense of Kavala’s Wife

Arınç also expressed distress over the public treatment of Kavala’s wife, Professor Ayşe Buğra. He highlighted that she is a highly respected academic at Boğaziçi University and the daughter of renowned novelist Tarık Buğra, making the insults directed at her particularly hurtful.

"For his wife, such a respectable woman, and the wife of such an exceptional person... to be called 'the wife of a terrorist,' if you will pardon the expression, with such ugly words—I cannot digest that since that day," Arınç said, adding that the families are demonstrating incredible patience.

Need to Respect Peace-Oriented Figures

The former Speaker emphasized the need to adhere to ECHR rulings. He recounted that Demirtaş’s wife had been waiting near the prison for four days in the hope of a release, before Demirtaş eventually sent her home.

Arınç concluded by urging respect for political figures who pursue peace, even those who suffered immensely, citing the example of Kurdish politician Ahmet Türk, who was subjected to inhumane treatment during the 1980 military coup period in Diyarbakır Prison.

"Someone like Ahmet Türk tries to forget it. They say, 'I only focused on peace for the integrity of this country.' Most of them are like this. We all need to respect them," Arınç asserted.

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