The detention was made public by Alinak’s son and lawyer Bişar Abdi Alinak. After giving his testimony, the 68-year-old former People’s Labor Party (HEP) deputy was released.

“His testimony has been taken and he has been released. For now!!!” wrote Bişar Abdi Alinak on his social media account.

The last time that Alinak was put behind bars was on February 17. The court ordered his arrest over a number of charges, including “disrupting the unity of the state and the country,” as well as “weakening the state’s independence” and “separatism.”

Following two months of imprisonment, the Kars Second Heavy Penal Court on May 13 ruled for the release of Alinak, for whom prosecutors seek life sentence, and put him under house arrest with an electronic bracelet on his ankle. Following an appeal, Alinak on July 8 had the electronic bracelet removed, citing his health problems.

Turkey’s penal code criminalizes insulting the president, with an offender typically facing a prison term of up to four years. The sentence can be increased if the insult is expressed in the public sphere.

Over 3,800 people in Turkey received prison sentences in 2019 for insulting Erdogan, according to Turkish media outlets.

Reporter’s code: 50101