The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in Van has opened an investigation against five deputies of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). The legal action is directed against Ağrı deputy Berdan Öztürk over his speech at a press statement made in Van on January 8, and Van deputies Sezai Temelli, Muazzez Orhan Işık, Tayip Temel and Murat Sarısaç over their posts on the social media.

The five deputies are accused of “insulting the Turkish nation, the State of the Republic of Turkey, the institutions and bodies of the state” and “inciting people to hatred and enmity”. The investigation files have been referred to the Parliamentary Crimes Investigation Bureau of Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.