Turkey sentences pro-Kurdish politicians to lengthy prison terms over deadly 2014 riots
A Turkish court has sentenced dozens pro-Kurdish politicians to between nine and 30 years in prison over deadly riots that broke out in 2014 by after Islamic State group militants besieged the Syrian border town of Kobani
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A Turkish court on Thursday sentenced dozens pro-Kurdish politicians to between nine and 30 years in prison over deadly riots in 2014 by Kurds who were angered by what they perceived to be government inaction against Islamic State group militants who had besieged the Syrian border town of Kobani.
The three days of clashes that broke out in October 2014 resulted in 37 deaths and left hundreds of others — police and civilians — injured. The protests were called by leaders of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party, or HDP, who were frustrated by what they considered to be Turkish support for IS militants.
A total of 108 people were put on trial charged with various crimes, including the killings of the 37 victims and crimes against the integrity of the state. The defendants include HDP’s jailed former leaders, Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, who were accused of organizing the protests and of inciting violence.
Critics decried the trial as being politically-motivated and part of a wider government crackdown on the pro-Kurdish party.
