5 years of imprisonment requested for Demirtaş and Önder

An indictment is issued against HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş and Ankara MP Sırrı Süreyya Önder because of speeches they gave in a rally on March17, 2013. 

According to Anadolu Agency, the indictment is issued by Bakırköy Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor Kadir Yılmaz.

No written statement

In the indictment, it is stated that Demirtaş and Önder haven't came to give their statements though they were sent a request for providing defence and evidences. It is also stated that the prosecutor's office hasn't received any written statement either.

“Right to expect to avoid using statements that praise the terrorist organization”

The indictment also states: “The suspects are members of a political party that is represented in the parliament. The statements that they made during an event in Istanbul include praises for PKK/KCK terrorist organization, along with its leader, that has the purpose of separating a part of the country from the state through widespread violent and terrorist activities in order to found an independent Kurdistan state based on Marxist Leninist principals. The quality of this organization, which has been carrying out armed actions and attacks all over the country since 1984, is determined by legal decisions. The state has right to expect to avoid using statements that praise the terrorist organization from these suspects who are politicians.”

In the indictment, 1 to 5 years of imprisonment is requested for Demirtaş and Önder.