Former HDP co-leader Demirtaş convicted over ‘terror propaganda’

ISTANBUL

Former Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) co-leader Selahattin Demirtaş and former HDP lawmaker Sırrı Süreyya Önder have been convicted on charges of “making propaganda for a terrorist organization.”

An Istanbul court on Sept. 7 handed down four years and eight months in prison to Demirtaş and three years and six months to Önder over a public speech they delivered in Nevruz celebrations in 2013, where they are accused of having produced propaganda for the illegal PKK.

Demirtaş was arrested in November 2016 in another case in which he is currently tried over “being a member of a terrorist organization.” There are more than 30 cases filed against him, mostly composed of terror propaganda convictions over his public speeches.

Participating in the hearing via an audio-visual system, Demirtaş demanded the case to be adjourned to prepare a defense. But the court rejected his demand and handed down the sentence. 

He condemned the court board for “not being independent,” saying the court had acted biased due to his and Önder’s “political views.”