The third session of the second hearing in the Kobanê Trial introduced by the Turkish government against the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) has started. The lawyers asked the court to withdraw.

108 politicians, 28 of them pending trial including HDP's former co-chairs and executive members are tried in the Kobanê Trial.

The third session of the second hearing of the trial has started today. In addition to lawyers, HDP MPs are also present in the courtroom.

Several lawyers from different cities are attending the hearing via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS).

The hearing is also monitored by experts from the European Union (EU) Delegation to Turkey and diplomatic representatives of EU member states.

HDP former co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) former co-chair Sebahat Tuncel did not attend the hearing delivering an excuse.

Prisoners participating from prison through SEGBİS are as follows: Former HDP Co-Chair Figen Yüksekdağ, Former Co-Mayor of Amed Metropolitan Municipality Gültan Kışanak, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) former Co-Chair Emine Ayna, HDP Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) member Ali Ürküt, HDP Foreign Relations Commission Member Nazmi Gür, Kars Municipality Co-Mayor Ayhan Bilgen, who was replaced by a government-appointed trustee, HDP former MP Gülser Yıldırım, HDP former Central Executive Committee (MYK) members Zeynep Ölbeci, Cihan Erdal, Can Memiş, Meryem Adıbelli.

Sırrı Süreyya Önder, a member of the Imralı Delegation, who is tried without arrest, and former HDP MP Altan Tan, attended the hearing with SEGBİS from Amed.

The hearing started with the lawyers' request for recusation. Lawyer Cemile Turhallı Balsak reminded that the first hearing started on April 26 and demanded recusation.

"If you are not going to withdraw, we demand that the file be submitted to a higher court," said Balsak.

“An impartial trial is an indispensable condition for a fair trial. Your court does not approach this case impartially," she added.

Describing the irregularities, Balsak cited the ECtHR ruling for the release of HDP former Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş. "How do you expect us to believe that his detention is legal as if nothing had happened?" she asked.

Balsak noted that the decision of the ECtHR Grand Chamber concerns all of the 28 prisoners.

Balsak continued, “We have only one request from this court: be the decision-making authority. If you are not going to decide alone, you should withdraw. However, you have shown that you are not the authority that makes the decisions, but rather it is the government that imposes decisions.”

The hearing is continuing with the defence of the lawyers.