Selahattin Demirtaş, Sırrı Süreyya Önder Sentenced to Prison

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The court has given its verdict in the case, where the imprisoned former co-chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Selahattin Demirtaş and its former MP Sırrı Süreyya Önder have been tried on charge of "propagandizing for a terrorist organization."

At the hearing held today (September 7), the court ruled that Demirtaş, who has been behind bars since November 4, 2016, shall be sentenced to 4 years and 8 months in prison. The court also gave a prison sentence of 3 years and 6 months to Önder.

The sentences have been given due to the statements made by Demirtaş and Önder during the Newroz celebrations in 2013. The court did not abate the sentences on the ground that they had taken a negative attitude.

While Önder appeared before the court, Demirtaş, who is held in the Edirne Type F Prison, attended the hearing held at the İstanbul 26th Heavy Penal Court via Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS).

The Consuls of Sweden and Canada, the HDP MPs Züleyha Gülüm, Erol Katırcıoğlu, Tuma Çelik, Dilşad Canbaz, Hasan Özgüneş and at attorney from the UK-based Widows for Peace Through Democracy organization Margaret Owen attended the hearing as observers. (HA/SD)