German SPD deputy visits jailed Haberal, Balbay

Accompanied by Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Faruk Loğoğlu and CHP deputy Atilla Kart, Mützenich said he felt like it was his duty to pay a visit to the two elected, yet jailed deputies. Haberal and Balbay were both elected as CHP deputies in the June 12, 2011 parliamentary elections; however, they are jailed on charges of being part of the illegal Ergenekon organization, which is accused of attempting to overthrow the elected government. The German deputy also said keeping the two CHP deputies jailed for so long runs contrary to Turkey’s democratization efforts.