BDP-PKK meeting adds to controversy

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

Six armed PKK militants stopped the BDP lawmakers on Aug 17 outside Şemdinli. DHA photo

A legal investigation has been launched into a video showing the meeting of Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputies and outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants in the southeastern province of Hakkari’s Şemdinli district.

The BDP lawmakers told reporters that the meeting was a chance encounter; however, the Van public prosecutor launched an investigation into the meeting on the grounds that it may have been planned in advance. Speaking to reporters in Hakkari’s Yüksekova district, Kışanak played down the legal investigation as “useless.” “The Kurdish question could be resolved with justice, conscience and democracy. When we speak and meet with the people, they bring a lawsuit. They are making efforts to sidetrack the Kurdish issue in courtrooms. But this is not a remedy. This country needs a true, certain and sincere solution,” Kışanak said.

Independent deputy Aysel Tuğluk, who was elected with the support of the BDP, said there was nothing illegal about their meeting with the PKK militants.

“We encountered a very natural and real situation. If they are not aware of that, this is their problem. We are happy about that encounter. Lending an ear to how they fight a struggle under what conditions was very important and meaningful for us, at least. For this reason they can launch as many investigations as they want,” Tuğluk told reporters.