Police detain Turkey's opposition HDP deputy in Ankara

By Cankut Tasdan

ANKARA (AA) – Police detained a lawmaker from the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Ankara as part of an anti-terrorism probe on Thursday night, according to a police source on Friday.

HDP's Diyarbakir deputy Nimetullah Erdogmus was detained in connection with an ongoing counter-terrorism investigation, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

The arrest comes six days after Saturday evening's deadly blasts in Istanbul left 44 dead and dozens of others wounded.

Earlier this week, two opposition MPs Caglar Demirel -- HDP parliament leader -- and Besime Konca were also detained as part of investigation in the southeastern provinces of Diyarbakir and Batman.

Last month, 13 HDP lawmakers were arrested, and 10 of them, including HDP Co-Chairs 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 earlier this year.

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 EU.