AKP deputy calls for trial without arrest for jailed writers

A lawmaker from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has said jailed writers in Turkey should be tried without arrest. 
Orhan Miroğlu, the AKP's deputy from the southeastern province of Mardin, specifically referred to the case of award-winning arrested novelist Aslı Erdoğan. 

"I want Aslı Erdoğan to be tried without arrest. I think the same for other jailed writers, as I am also a writer," Miroğlu said in parliament on Oct. 5, adding that he had also objected to Erdoğan's arrest in a Facebook post. 
"I think writers, regardless of the crimes they may have committed, can be tried but without arrest in accordance with the existing laws in Turkey. I criticize Aslı Erdoğan, but I'm the first one who objected to her arrest from Facebook," he said. 

Erdoğan, a member of daily Özgür Gündem's advisory board and columnist, was arrested over alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on Aug. 20. Özgür Gündem was shut down for allegedly engaging in PKK propaganda.

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