HDP leader facing jail over Erdogan insult charge

By Cemal Asan

VAN, Turkey

Opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) co-leader Yuksekdag is facing a prison sentence of up to five years on charges of insulting the Turkish president, a judicial source said Friday.

An indictment prepared by Van Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office demanded a prison term for Yuksekdag ranging from one to five years and was accepted.

The alleged offense happened during a conference in Van province on Jan. 2 last year.

On Jan. 18, an indictment was also prepared for the HDP’s other co-leader, Selahattin Demirtas, demanding a prison term ranging from one to four years on charges of insulting Recep Tayyip Erdogan and making terrorist propaganda at a TV appearance on Sep. 9, 2015.

Last November, and Yuksekdag were detained along with 11 other HDP lawmakers.

Later, five HDP lawmakers were released. At the moment, a total of 12 HDP figures, including Demirtas and Yuksekdag, still remain in custody.

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

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