A Turkish court sentenced several pro-Kurdish politicians to between nine and 42 years in prison for their involvement in deadly riots in 2014. The protests were sparked by perceived government inaction against Islamic State group militants besieging the Syrian border town of Kobani. The clashes resulted in 37 deaths and hundreds injured, with leaders of the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) calling for the protests, accusing Turkey of supporting IS militants. A total of 108 people were charged, including former HDP leaders Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, who were accused of organizing the protests and inciting violence.
Of the defendants, 18 were jailed, 18 were freed pending the verdict, and 72 remain at large. Demirtas received a 42-year sentence, while Yuksekdag was sentenced to 30 years in prison for various charges. The trial was criticized as politically motivated and part of a wider crackdown on the pro-Kurdish party. Tensions ran high during the hearing, with lawyers protesting the verdicts. The politicians are expected to appeal the verdicts, with 12 defendants being acquitted of all charges. Those still at large will be tried at a later date.
The government accused the HDP of having links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and accused them of taking instructions from the PKK to stage the riots. The PKK has been designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU, and has been engaged in armed insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984. The HDP has faced multiple crackdowns by the government, with legislators being stripped of their parliamentary seats and mayors being removed from office. Several HDP lawmakers are also imprisoned on terror-related charges. The party has since changed its name to the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) and remains the third-largest grouping in Turkey’s parliament.
In response to the sentencing, the current co-leader of the pro-Kurdish movement described the verdicts as a “black stain” on Turkey’s justice system. Authorities imposed a four-day ban on demonstrations in predominantly Kurdish provinces in anticipation of protests against the sentences. The situation underscores the ongoing political tensions in Turkey, particularly between the government and the pro-Kurdish movement. The verdict is likely to further escalate the divide and provoke more protests. The government’s actions against the HDP raise concerns about freedom of expression and political dissent in the country. The situation highlights the challenges faced by marginalized communities and the need for a more inclusive and democratic political process.
