'Terror Investigation' Launched into HDP Congress After Call from AKP Ally Bahçeli

Mithat Sancat and Pervin Buldan were elected co-chairs of the HDP in Sunday's congress (Photo: HDP)

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An investigation has been launched against the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) for "propagandizing for an armed terrorist organization" over a photo slide presentation at the party's congress on Sunday (February 23).

The presentation showed photographs of Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). 15 people determined to have prepared the presentation are under investigation, the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.

Earlier in the day, Devlet Bahçeli, the chair of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), called on public prosecutors to open an investigation into the congress.

"Everyone should come to their senses. This country is not ownerless," he told his party's parliamentary group.

The MHP has been in alliance with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) since a referendum for a presidential system in 2017.

Fourteen of the suspects have been detained so far and the Ankara anti-terror police are searching for one remaining suspect, the AA reported.

The HDP held its 4th Ordinary Congress on Sunday in the capital Ankara. 838 of 1,018 delegates cast ballots at the congress. HDP İstanbul MP Pervin Buldan and HDP Mardin MP Mithat Sancar have been elected as the new co-chairs of the party. Delegates from 28 countries also attended the congress. (AS/VK)