HDP Co-Chair Demirtaş Sentenced to 5 Months in Prison

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Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş has been sentenced to 5 months in prison.

Demirtaş, who was detained since November 4, 2016, was sentenced to prison on charge of “Insulting Turkish nation, Republic of Turkey and its institutions and bodies”.

Demirtaş was tried over a speech he made at Newroz celebration in Ağrı’s province of Doğubeyazıt. “We are on the side of dialogue and peaceful solutions. Our doors are open to anyone willing to negotiate any matter. However, if anyone tries to hit our hand which lend for peace with a club, we take that club and hit them in their heads. They should also know this”, Demirtaş had said.

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On January 17, 2017, Diyarbakır 2nd Criminal Judgeship of Peace charged Demirtaş with “Managing a terror organization”, “Propagandizing for a terror organization”, “Opposing to Law on Demonstrations and Rallies”, “Inciting people to animosity and hostility”, “Inciting people to not obey law”, “Inciting people to commit crime”, “Praising crime and criminal”.

The indictment demands Demnirtaş be sentenced to 142 years in prison. (EKN/HK/TK)