Turkey: HDP spokesman detained in Ankara

By Cankut Tasdan

ANKARA

Police on Sunday detained Turkey's opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) spokesman as part of a terror probe launched in southeastern Diyarbakir province, said a security source.

The source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media, said Ayhan Bilgen, also a deputy of eastern Kars province, was held for failing to give testimony despite being notified of his address.

Bilgen was detained at Ankara's Esenboga Airport and the same source said he would be taken to Diyarbakir.

On Saturday, HDP's Adana Deputy Meral Danis Bestas and Istanbul Deputy Huda Kaya were detained as part of a terror probe by Diyarbakir prosecutor's office and later released under judicial supervision.

Last November, 13 HDP lawmakers were arrested and 10 of them, including HDP co-leaders Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, remain in custody awaiting trial on terrorism-related charges.

The lawmakers face prosecution under anti-terrorism legislation after their parliamentary immunity was lifted.

The government has accused the HDP of having links to the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU.

By Cankut Tasdan

ANKARA

Police on Sunday detained Turkey's opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) spokesman as part of a terror probe launched in southeastern Diyarbakir province, said a security source.

Bilgen was detained at Ankara's Esenboga Airport and the same source said he would be taken to Diyarbakir.

Last November, 13 HDP lawmakers were arrested and 10 of them, including HDP co-leaders Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, remain in custody awaiting trial on terrorism-related charges.

The lawmakers face prosecution under anti-terrorism legislation after their parliamentary immunity was lifted.

The government has accused the HDP of having links to the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU.