Istanbul court accepts Kurdistan Communities Union indictment

ISTANBUL

This file photo shows demonstrators protesting the arrests of publisher Ragıp Zarakolu and Prof Büşra Ersanlı. DHA Photo

A specially authorized Istanbul court today accepted the indictment against 193 suspects in the ongoing Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) case, in which prominent intellectuals Dr.Büşra Ersanlı and Ragıp Zarakolu stand as suspects, Anatolia news agency reported.

Specially authorized Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Adnan Çimen's 2.400 pages indictment charges Professor Büşra Ersanlı with “leading a terrorist organization” and publisher Ragıp Zarakolu with “aiding a terrorist organization.” Çimen demanded 15 to 22.5 years for Ersanlı and 7.5 to 15 years for Zarakolu, Doğan news agency reported.

More than 140 of the 193 suspects in the indictment are currently behind bars.

Zarakolu and Ersanlı were arrested on Nov. 1, 2011, resulting in protests from national and international organizations. Zarakolu was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize last month by a group of Swedish lawmakers.

The indictment discusses the establishment and structure of the KCK, the alleged urban wing of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), while also describing some of the acts undertaken on the PKK’s behalf.

KCK is the alleged urban wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.