HDP deputy probed for ‘making terrorism propaganda’ in tweet

ŞANLIURFA – Doğan News Agency

DHA Photo

An investigation has been launched against Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy İbrahim Ayhan on a charge of “making terrorism propaganda.”

The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa launched an investigation against Ayhan on Sept. 22 into his posting on Twitter, in which he purportedly praised İsmail Aydemir, an outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militant based in the eastern province of Tunceli, who was killed by Turkish security forces.

Ayhan also expressed respect for an outlawed Democratic Union Party (PYD) militant in the same Twitter posting.  

If the court indicts Ayhan on the charge of “making terrorism propaganda,” a summary of proceedings will be prepared to lift the immunity of Ayhan, an HDP deputy from Şanlıurfa.

Ayhan said he was ready to fight for “what [he] cares about and what [he] finds right” and that he would never step back because of an investigation.

“We never step back because of investigations [launched against us]. We are ready to fight for the values we believe in and what we find right. No matter what, we will continue our fight within the boundaries of democracy and peace to preserve as peaceful an environment as we possibly can,” Ayhan told reporters, when asked about the investigation launched against him on Sept. 23.

Ayhan also declared he was against war and that he sided with “peace.”