Diyarbak?r Bar Association head released on probation

Diyarbak?r Association head Tahir Elçi, who was detained in the southeastern province late on Oct. 19 for recent remarks that ?the PKK is not a terror organization,? was released on probation on Oct. 20 but has been barred from traveling out of the country.

?I am behind my words and believe that they are true. The words I said cannot constitute a crime,? Elçi said in his testimony about the remarks, which he made last week during a television program on CNNTürk hosted by Hürriyet columnist Ahmet Hakan.

In addition, the Bak?rköy Chief Prosecutor?s Office also included Hakan and the program?s broadcasting manager in the investigation.

Meanwhile, the Peoples? Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirta? said Elçi was not even a sympathizer of the PKK.

?Let alone being PKK, [Elçi] is not even a sympathizer. He is a man of peace. If Mr. Elçi said ?I am a suicide bomber,? they would say in the prime minister?s words, ?We cannot do anything to you because you have not blown yourself up yet. Release him,?? said Demirta?.

Meanwhile, Republican People?s Party (CHP) deputy head Enis Berbero?lu also said the detention of Elçi for his remarks was evidence of a ?double standard? while those aided and abetted the perpetrators of the Oct. 10 Ankara Massacre were only apprehended days after the fact.

Elçi, who is accused of ?terrorism propaganda,? was detained at around 2 a.m. at the bar association building, where he was waiting to be detained by police following a detention order issued by a court in Istanbul?s Bak?rköy district earlier on Oct. 19.

During his wait, Elçi was accompanied by representatives of civil organizations, HDP lawmakers, Diyarbak?r co-mayor Gültan K??anak and a group of lawyers.

The...