Former HDP co-leader Kemalbay detained over ‘terror propaganda’
ANKARA – Anadolu Agency
Former Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) co-leader Serpil Kemalbay was detained in the capital Ankara on Feb. 13 for allegedly “spreading terrorist propaganda” during a party congress, according to a security source.
Kemalbay was detained in the Çankaya district after an arrest warrant was issued for her by the provincial chief public prosecutor’s office, said the source, who asked not to be named due to the restrictions on speaking to the media.
The detention warrant came as part of an investigation into her remarks which the prosecutor’s office says amounted to “spreading terrorist propaganda” at the party’s third ordinary congress on Feb. 11.
On Feb. 12, HDP co-leader Pervin Buldan and HDP deputy Sırrı Süreyya Önder faced legal scrutiny and charges for allegedly making terrorist propaganda at the same event.
Buldan was indicted for being a member of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and could face five to 10 years in jail.
Önder also faced an investigation on allegations of “spreading terrorist propaganda, provoking public hatred and hostility, and praising crime and criminals” at the party’s third ordinary congress on Feb. 11.
During the congress, posters of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan were unfurled, which is considered a crime by Turkish law.
