Demirtas, Yuksekdag sentenced, others acquitted in Kobani trial

Verdicts are in for 108 defendants, including ex-HDP co-chairs Demirtas and Yuksekdag. Ahmet Turk receives 10 years, Yuksekdag 30 years and Demirtas 42 years in prison

The verdict has been delivered in the trial involving 108 defendants, including former Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, as well as PKK leaders in the trial over the Kobani riots that took place on Oct. 6-8, 2014.

Following the defense attorneys’ statements during the hearing at the Sincan Prison Campus by the 22nd Heavy Penal Court, the defendants were given the opportunity to deliver their final words.

After a recess, the presiding judge delivered the verdict. According to the ruling, Ahmet Turk, the mayor of Mardin Metropolitan Municipality, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for “membership in an armed terrorist organization.” Former HDP co-chair Yuksekdag was sentenced to 30 years and three months. Meanwhile, former HDP co-chair Demirtas was sentenced to 42 years in prison.

Former HDP Central Executive Committee member Ali Urkut has been sentenced to 13 years and four months for “assistance to the crime of undermining the unity and integrity of the state” and four years and six months for “incitement to commit a crime.”

Alp Altinors has been sentenced to 18 years and four years and six months of imprisonment, while Bulent Barmaksız has been sentenced to 16 years and four years and six months of imprisonment for each of the charges.

Former HDP Member of Parliament (MP) Ayla Akat Ata received nine years and nine months for “membership in an armed terrorist organization,” Emine Ayna received 10 years for the same offense, and former MPs Ayse Yagci and Aynur Asan each received nine years of imprisonment. Ata and Yagci were ordered to be released.

Former HDP MPs Aysel Tugluk, Altan Tan, Ayhan Bilgen, and other defendants, including Berfin Ozgu Kose, Bircan Yorulmaz, Can Memis, and Emine Beyza Ustun, were acquitted of the charges brought against them.

The 2014 Kobani protests in Turkey were large-scale demonstrations led by pro-PKK terrorist organization demonstrators in the fall of 2014. These protests emerged as a consequence of the crisis in Kobani and grew into widespread unrest across Türkiye. However, the demonstrations soon turned violent and clashes erupted between protesters and Turkish law enforcement officers.

Violence flared for two days across multiple Turkish cities, claiming the lives of 37 people, including 16-year-old Yasin Boru, who tragically lost his life while gathering donations in southeastern Turkey. Boru’s death has come to symbolize the toll of violence, underscoring the profound impact of these turbulent events.

Those charged in the Kobani case were found guilty of inciting street protests and spreading terrorist propaganda to incite riots in major cities.

Source: AA