Former HDP deputy Tuncel acquitted of ‘terror’ charges

DİYARBAKIR – Anadolu Agency

Former Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy and current spokesperson for the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK), Sebahat Tuncel (L) in a press briefing with HDK's co-spokesperson Ertuğrul Kürkçü (R) on Nov. 14, 2015. AA Photo

Former Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Sebahat Tuncel was acquitted of “making terrorism propaganda” charges in two speeches by a court in southeastern Diyarbakır province on Nov. 17.

Diyarbakır’s 5th Court for Serious Crimes ruled for the acquittal of Tuncel from charges of “terror propaganda” for a speech she gave on May 3, 2012. Tuncel had been facing a potential prison term of up to five years. 

On Nov. 1, Tuncel was briefly detained at passport control in Istanbul Atatürk Airport ahead of her flight to Brussels. 

Tuncel, also the spokesperson for the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK), was transferred to the prosecutor’s office in Istanbul’s Bakırköy after testifying at the airport. 

Announcing her detainment on her Twitter account, Tuncel said a ban on leaving the country was imposed on her due to the speeches she delivered between 2010 and 2013. 

“The issuance of a warrant before a service of summons is a political decision by the public prosecutor,” Tuncel tweeted. 

Tuncel was released following her testimony while her ban on leaving the country remains in effect.