Turkey: HDP MP sentenced to 6 years in jail for PKK links

VAN, Turkey

A court in Turkey's eastern province of Van has given lawmakers from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) a prison sentence of six years and three months for "membership to the PKK terrorist organization".

The verdict came late Friday from Van's 2nd High Penal Court in the case where six suspects stood trial on charges of "being a member to PKK terrorist organization and its affiliate KCK".

Four of the suspects -- including HDP Van deputy Lezgin Botan and former HDP Van deputy Selami Ozyasar -- were sentenced to 6 years and 3 months while two others were acquitted.

All four suspects were detained back in June 25, 2011 in Van during an operation by anti-terror squads from the provincial police department against KCK.