Ankara Governor bans public demonstrations ahead of Demitaş’s hearings

ANKARA

The Ankara Governor’s office has banned all public demonstrations ahead of imprisoned Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) co-leader Selahattin Demitaş’s court hearings in the Turkish capital.

 “All demonstrations and activities, such as commemorations, sit-in protests, marches and all types of gatherings, have been deemed illegal in public areas in the entire Ankara region, especially around the Sincan Prison and Courthouse,” read a statement issued by the governor’s office on late Jan. 16.

Imprisoned HDP co-leader Demirtaş was brought to Sincan Prison from Edirne Prison, where he was being held, in order to attend two hearings, which will take place in Ankara Sincan Prison Courthouse on Jan. 17.

Demirtaş is currently on trial for over 20 different cases, and in the two hearings on Jan. 17 in Ankara he will face charges of “insulting the president” and “inciting crime” for his speeches.