15 Years of Imprisonment for Bekir Kaya

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According to the data on Yüksekova News, the summary judgement hearing of the trial regarding the Kurdish politicians who had been arrested on the basis of the main lawsuit of KCK (Group of Communities in Kurdistan) Van and then released by the court pending trial without arrest, had been held before Van 1st High Criminal Court.

The 12 politicians on trial without arrest have not attended the hearing but the defence attorneys were present. Taking the last statements of the attorneys, the court board has sentenced Van Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Bekir Kaya and Peoples’ Democracy Party (HDP) Council Member Cüneyt Caniş each to 15 years of imprisonment on the grounds of “being an organization member”.

While the other 10 politicians on trial without arrest have been sentenced to imprisonment between seven and 12 years, sentencing Kaya and Caniş on the basis of the upper punishment limit had drawn attention.

The attorneys of the politicians are going to appeal after the reasoned decision has been issued.

CLICK - 23 CO-MAYORS DISCHARGED, 16 OTHERS IMPRISONED

As of December 31, 2015, 36 Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Municipality Co-Mayors in 24 districts of 11 provinces have been subjects to investigations that have been ongoing since August 2015. 16 Municipality Co-Mayors have entered the new year in prison.

Likewise, investigations have been launched against 33 City Councillors; 16 City Councillors and two Provincial Council Co-Chairs have been arrested. (EKN/DG)