HDP lawmaker Kürkçü faces terrorism indictment
The prosecutor has demanded a prison sentence ranging from between 9-and-a-half-years to 23 years for HDP Deputy Ertuğrul Kürkçü due to being a member of armed terrorist organization, propagandizing for a terrorist group and inciting public hatred and hostility or contempt.
- World
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 12:00 | 28 July 2017
- Modified Date: 01:08 | 28 July 2017
A court in southeastern Turkey on Friday approved an indictment against a Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) lawmaker facing terrorism charges.
Diyarbakir's 10th High Criminal court accepted the indictment against Izmir MP Ertuğrul Kürkçü.
The province's Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has demanded a prison sentence ranging from between 9-and-a-half-years to 23 years.
Kürkçü will face trial on charges of being a "member of armed terrorist organization", "propagandizing for a terrorist group" and "inciting public hatred and hostility or contempt".
The 74-page indictment claims Kürkçü tried to defend attacks by the PKK and the group's so-called "autonomy" projects.
He is accused of describing PKK assaults as "legitimate defense".
Kürkçü also described the Turkish Republic and its law-enforcement agencies as "occupiers", the indictment added.
HDP lawmakers began facing prosecution under anti-terrorism legislation after their parliamentary immunity was lifted in March 2016.
Turkey's government accuses the HDP of being linked to the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.