The 9th hearing of the so-called KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) main trial was held at Istanbul 15th High Criminal Court on Friday. 204 Kurdish politicians and human rights activists, 83 in custody, are tried in the KCK Istanbul main trial.

Announcing the interim decision following the hearing, the court released six Kurdish politicians, Mehmet Cevat İnce, Nizamettin Açıkça, Meyrem Yiğit, Hatice Vural, Ayşe Berktay (Hacımirzaoğlu) and Seda Aktaş.

The court adjourned the trial until 31 January-14 February 2014 and filed a criminal complaint against defendants Ömer Gölge, Talat Aydın, Aslan İşçioğlu and lawyer Sinan Zincir on the grounds of going beyond the limits of defense.

Renowned translator, researcher, and global peace and justice activist Ayşe Berktay was arrested on 14 September 2011 and has been tried for “membership in an illegal organization”. PEN American Center named Berktay as the recipient of its 2013 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award in April.