ECHR’s Final Decision for Turkey: Must Be Released
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has reaffirmed its earlier ruling that Selahattin Demirtaş “must be released immediately.” Turkey’s appeal was rejected, and the decision has become final. This development is seen as a significant turning point in Demirtaş’s legal process. Since ECHR rulings are binding for all members of the Council of Europe, there are no further international bodies to which Turkey can appeal.
However, this does not automatically mean that Demirtaş will be released. He still faces other convictions in separate cases, which complicates the path to his freedom.
Bahçeli’s Striking Comment: “It May Be for the Good”
After the ECHR decision, political attention quickly turned to Ankara. Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, during his parliamentary group speech, used a striking phrase without mentioning any names: “It may be for the good.”
When reporters later asked him directly about Demirtaş’s possible release, Bahçeli gave a short but remarkable answer—suggesting that within the ruling bloc, the issue might not be entirely closed. His comment was interpreted in political circles as a signal of possible “softening” in the political climate.
How Does the Legal and Political Landscape Look?
From a legal standpoint, the finalization of the ECHR ruling imposes a new obligation on Turkey. If Ankara fails to implement the decision, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe could step in.
Still, in case Demirtaş has other criminal convictions in Turkish courts, his release may not occur immediately. The process now depends less on the courts and more on the determination of political will.
Politically, the situation is complex. On one hand, the government could frame Demirtaş’s release as part of a broader message of “reconciliation” and “normalization.” On the other hand, considering the sensitivities of nationalist constituencies and security concerns, such a step carries clear political risks.
In addition, dynamics within the Kurdish community will play a decisive role. In recent years, Demirtaş has earned such respect and popularity among Kurdish voters that, according to many political observers, his influence could even overshadow that of Abdullah Öcalan—the figure whom Bahçeli has sought to honor as a “founding leader.”
Many analysts agree that “if Demirtaş is released, Öcalan’s influence in Kurdish politics could diminish while Demirtaş’s charisma rises.” This scenario would please neither Öcalan—who is already said to have lost symbolic dominance among some Kurds—nor the Turkish government, which prefers to maintain control over the balance of power in the Kurdish question. Demirtaş’s popularity has simply become too significant to ignore.
What Can Be Expected in the Near Future?
For now, there is no official statement suggesting that Demirtaş will be released immediately. Yet with the ECHR ruling finalized, the legal foundation for such a move now exists. If the political leadership considers both domestic and international conditions favorable, the release process could accelerate. Experts say this is not an immediate possibility but a realistic medium-term scenario, likely within a “not too long” time period.
Conclusion: A New Turning Point in Politics
The Selahattin Demirtaş case is no longer just a legal issue; it now stands at the heart of Turkey’s debates over democracy, the rule of law, and normalization. The finalization of the ECHR decision and Bahçeli’s unexpectedly soft statement together mark two pivotal moments that could reshape the political landscape.
As the power balance within the Kurdish community continues to shift in Demirtaş’s favor, Ankara faces a difficult yet unavoidable choice—both legally and politically. Even though uncertainty remains in the very short term, Demirtaş’s potential release is no longer a distant possibility but a decisive turning point that could have an impact on Turkey’s political future.
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