Opposition deputy in Turkey remanded on terror charges

By Selman Tur

BATMAN, Turkey (AA) - A lawmaker from the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) was jailed on Monday pending trial on terrorism charges, a judicial official said.

Besime Konca, the HDP deputy for Siirt province in southeast Turkey, was remanded in custody by the 2nd Criminal Court in Batman on charges including membership of an armed terrorist organization and making terrorist propaganda.

She was originally arrested last December but released on bail on May 3, the official said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

She was arrested on Monday at Batman Airport on the orders of the local prosecutor.

Around a dozen lawmakers from the HDP, the third largest party in the Grand National Assembly, are currently in prison awaiting trial for terror-related offences, including co-leader Selahattin Demirtas.

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.