Dismissed Kocaköy Co-Mayor Nazlıer Faces 15 Years in Prison

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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The Diyarbakır 11th Heavy Penal Court has accepted the bill of indictment against Rojda Nazlıer, the dismissed and recently arrested Co-Mayor of Kocaköy in Diyarbakır. Issued by the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the indictment requests that Nazlıer be sentenced to 7.5 to 15 years in prison for "membership of a terrorist organization".

The indictment has also referred to the accounts of two open witnesses and one anonymous witness. As reported by Mezopotamya Agency, "Zerdeşt" code named E.T. and "Canfeda Agiri" code named E.B. deposed to the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on October 8.

Accounts of witnesses cited in the indictment

Based on the statements of open and anonymous witnesses, the Prosecutor's Office has alleged that Nazlıer is a member of the People's Defense Forces (HPG) militia. The confessor named E.T. said, "She is the most violent and dangerous militant of this region. To me, this militant is more dangerous than 10 terrorists combined."

The confessor named E.B. also said, "As I had recently joined the organization and this militant called Rojda was very important, they kept me away from meeting places as a precaution so that not everyone could learn about the decisions taken there. If I had carried on activities in this region for long, I would have definitely seen this Rojda and attended the meeting."

'I took advantage of her detention'

According to the indictment, "Lice 2019" code named anonymous witness went to the Lice Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on the day when Nazlıer was referred to court to be arrested. Deposing to the Office, the witness claimed that the houses of Nazlıer were used as "headquarters".

The witness said, "It is horrible that a person who digs up tunnels with terrorists and aids and abets them willingly and knowingly becomes a mayor. I made my deposition as it troubled my conscience and as I took advantage of Rojda Nazlıer's detention, with the trust I have for our state."

The indictment has also counted it as criminal evidence that Rojda Nazlıer attended Newroz celebrations; extended her condolences in a ceremony held for Zülküf Gezen, who ended his life during hunger strikes; and attended a program held by the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) in front of HDP Diyarbakır Office after the elections.

Nazlıer charged with 'membership of terrorist organization'

The Diyarbakır 11th Heavy Penal Court has accepted the bill of indictment charging Nazlıer of "being a member of a terrorist organization". Nazlıer will have her first hearing on January 27, 2020. (RT/SD)