Turkish court remands HDP deputy on terror charges

By Aziz Aslan

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AA) – A court here on Tuesday remanded in custody a deputy from the opposition People's Democratic Party (HDP) for alleged links to the PKK terrorist organization.

Besime Konca, who was detained late Monday in relation to a counterterrorism investigation was remanded on charges of "being member of an armed terrorist organization" and "making terror propaganda".

Her colleague, Caglar Demirel, HDP parliament leader, was also remanded Tuesday night on the same charges.

Dozens of HDP members were arrested Monday in separate operations across Turkey.

Suspects include provincial heads in Istanbul, Ankara, Manisa, Adana, and Mersin, as well as district-level party heads.

This latest series of arrests follow the arrests of 13 HDP lawmakers last month, including co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, who 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 repeatedly accused the HDP of having links to the PKK that is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU.