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HDP election campaign subjected to 22 attacks in 35 days

A girl flashes the victory sign as holding a flag bearing the logo of Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) as Turkish Kurds gather during Newroz celebrations for the new year in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, on March 21, 2018. Newroz (also known as Nawroz or Nowruz) is an ancient Persian festival, which is also celebrated by Kurdish people, marking the first day of spring, which falls on March 21. / AFP PHOTO / ILYAS AKENGIN

The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) as of June 3 had been the subject of 22 attacks since the launch of its election campaign for the June 24 presidential and general elections, according to a report from the party, the Cumhuriyet daily reported on Monday.

Turkey will hold early presidential and general elections on June 24, and the political parties began campaigning on April 28.

The HDP has been subjected to the highest number of attacks, with its officials also exposed to judicial harassment during this period.

According to a report drafted by the party, HDP campaign booths and stands as well offices were attacked 10 times in Ankara, six in İstanbul, two in İzmir and Antalya and one time each in Hatay and Edirne.

In the same period, 136 party officials have been detained, 14 of whom have been arrested.

The party’s presidential candidate, Selahattin Demirtaş, has been in pretrial detention since November 2016.

He has not been released from prison despite calls suggesting that Demirtaş should be temporarily freed so that the elections can be held in a fair and equal environment for all candidates.

In the meantime, İYİ Party and Felicity Party (SP) campaign booths have also been attacked several times since the beginning of the election campaign.

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