Selahattin Demirtas

ModernPoliticianTurkey1973 — ?

Imprisoned Kurdish HDP leader and presidential candidate.

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Quick Facts

Born

1973

Country

Turkey

Era

Modern

Occupation

Politician

Score Overview

Military (10%)50

Political (20%)68

Influence (20%)58

Legacy (20%)44

Leadership (15%)66

Strategy (15%)42

Total Score54.8

Selahattin Demirtas — Complete Timeline

2012 AD

Co-founded Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP)Political Action◆ Major

Demirtas co-founded the HDP, a pro-Kurdish and left-wing party in Turkey. The party aimed to represent Kurdish interests and promote democratic rights, becoming a major political force.

Kurdish RightsPolitical PartyDemocracy

Impact: nationalconstructive

2014 AD

Ran for President of TurkeyPolitical Action◆ Major

Demirtas ran as the HDP candidate in Turkey's first direct presidential election. He won 9.8% of the vote, coming third behind Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

Presidential ElectionKurdish CandidateTurkey

Impact: national

2016 AD

Arrested and ImprisonedPolitical Action◆ Major

Demirtas was arrested on charges of terrorism and propaganda, accused of links to the PKK. He remained in prison despite international calls for his release, becoming a symbol of political repression.

ImprisonmentPolitical RepressionKurdish Rights

Impact: nationaltragic

2018 AD

European Court of Human Rights RulingPolitical Action◆ Major

The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Demirtas's detention violated his rights and ordered his release. Turkey did not comply, leading to further international condemnation.

ECHRHuman RightsInternational Law

Impact: globalconstructive