5-year jail sought for ex-opposition party head in Turkey

A public prosecutor in Istanbul has sought five years in jail for imprisoned former co-chair of opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and the party's one of the lawmakers, according to a judicial source on Monday.

The prosecutor accused the party's ex-leader Selahattin Demirtaş , who is already in prison on different terror charges, and Ankara lawmaker Sirri Süreyya Önder of spreading terrorist propaganda through their speeches five years ago.

According to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, the HDP officials made their alleged speeches during the spring festival of Nevruz celebrations in Istanbul in March 2013.

Önder attended the hearing at the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court but Demirtaş was not present after he got a health report.

In November 2016, Selahattin Demirtaş together with 12 HDP lawmakers were arrested on terror-related charges. Demirtaş remains in custody pending trial.

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

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

More than 1,200 people, including security force personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since the PKK resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July 2015.