Turkey: HDP deputy facing up to 3 years in prison

By Rauf Maltas

SANLIURFA, Turkey (AA) - An opposition Turkish deputy could face one-and-a-half to three years in prison for allegedly violating laws on meetings and demonstrations, said judicial sources on Friday.

Prosecutors are seeking the sentence for Ayse Surucu, a Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) deputy for Sanliurfa in Turkey’s southeast, at the 6th Heavy Penal Court in Sanliurfa, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The suspect was not in court but was represented by her lawyer.

The trial was postponed to a future date after Surucu’s lawyer asked for more time.

Turkey’s government accuses the HDP of being linked to the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, it has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children.