Turkish prosecutors seek up to 33 years for HDP deputy

DIYARBAKIR

Turkish prosecutors Thursday demanded up to 33 years in prison for an opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy as part of anti-terrorism efforts, according to judicial sources.

According to the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media, the Diyarbakir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office demanded a prison sentence ranging from nearly 12 years to 33 years for the party's Ankara Deputy Sirri Sureyya Onder.

In the indictment, Onder was accused of being a member of the terror organization, spreading terrorist propaganda, and encouraging people to hatred and hostility.

The sources also said HDP Istanbul Deputy Huda Kaya had been arrested in anti-terrorism investigation but was later released under judicial control.

Kaya had been arrested on charges of spreading terrorist propaganda during a speech this January.

Last month 13 HDP lawmakers were arrested, and 10, including Co-Chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, remain in custody awaiting trial on terrorism-related charges.

The lawmakers face prosecution under anti-terrorism legislation after their parliamentary immunity was lifted earlier this year.

On Nov. 4 Onder was detained and was later released under judicial control.

The government has accused the HDP of having links to the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU.

The PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU – resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July 2015, and has been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,100 security force members and civilians, including women and children.

Reporting by Aziz Aslan; Writing by Fatma Bülbül,Satuk Buğra Kutlugün;