Turkish court jails opposition HDP lawmaker

By Aziz Aslan

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AA) - A Turkish court on Thursday sentenced an opposition party lawmaker to over three years in prison, according to judicial sources.

A High Criminal Court in eastern Diyarbakir province found Imam Tascier of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) guilty over terror crimes, said the source speaking anonymously due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Tascier was charged with committing crime in behalf of terrorist organization and participating in illegal meetings and marches.

He stood trial for trying to enter the region during the period of curfew in the Sur district to protest the operations of security forces.

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, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children.