HDP co-chair called to testify over terror charges

DİYARBAKIR

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The co-chair of the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) has been called to testify on charges of “being a member of an armed terrorist organization.” 

HDP co-leader Selahattin Demirtaş was called to testify as a part of the probe launched by Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır. 

Nursel Aydoğan, an HDP lawmaker from Diyarbakır, was also called to testify, Doğan News Agency reported. 

Demirtaş had previously said they wouldn’t testify after the legislative immunities of lawmakers were lifted. 

“We, including myself, are not going to go prosecutor’s offices or courts as if nothing happened. I’m calling out to the prosecutor or judge who wants to call us to testify; either issue an arrest warrant or subpoena,” Demirtaş had said. 

A summary of proceedings was previously prepared regarding Demirtaş and he was called to testify, but he didn’t reply to any of the calls. 

Meanwhile, HDP co-chair Figen Yüksekdağ was also called to testify by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, daily Evrensel reported. According to the daily, she wouldn’t go to testify.

Subpoenas were previously issued for eight lawmakers from the HDP over the Kurdish Communities Union (KCK) case in Diyarbakir on Sept. 5. HDP group deputy chairman Çağlar Demirel was among the ones a subpoena was issued for by the Diyarbakır Second Heavy Penal Court.