News Center- Nurhayat Altun, former co-mayor of Dersim from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) who was stripped of her office and replaced by a state-appointed mayor on November 17, 2016, has been released from Kocaeli F-type Closed Prison after seven years and six months in prison.

Nurhayat Altun was welcomed by many people, including the members of the Free Women’s Movement (Kurdish: Tevgera Jinên Azad-TJA), the Peoples' Democracy and Equality Party (DEM Party), the Marmara Association for Solidarity with Prisoner and Convict Families (MATUHAYDER), the Lawyers Association for Freedom (ÖHD), DEM Party Mersin MP Ali Bozan, her family members and friends.

‘Physical freedom means nothing’

Nurhayat Altun made a short speech in front of the prison. “Being outside feels good but my heart is with my friends I left in prison. A piece of my heart is still there. Physical freedom means nothing to us because our soul is always free everywhere,” she said in her speech.

 Then, Nurhayat Altun departed from Kocaeli to Ankara with her family members and friends.