International solidarity with those standing trial in the so-called “Kobani trial” in which aggravated life imprisonment is sought for all politicians on trial over their alleged involvement in the 2014 Kobane protests.
The North and East Syria Solidarity (NESS) expressed their “strong solidarity with the accused in the Kobani trial and with all those opposing the repressive and anti-democratic Erdogan regime.”
The Co-Chair of NESS, Fionn Skiotis, also sent their condolences to all those affected by the February 6 earthquakes, defining them as a tragic and devastating blow.
“We will do all that we can here in Australia to raise awareness and take action in solidarity with your great cause - rest assured you have our loyal support at all times,” said the statement.
BACKGROUND
The Kobani Case was filed in 2020 against 108 people, including the HDP’s former co-chairs, Mr Selahattin Demirtaş and Ms Figen Yüksekdağ, current co-chair Ms Pervin Buldan, several current and former HDP deputies and mayors, and all the members of the HDP’s Central Executive Board of 2014. This case was launched as a counter move by the Turkish government just two weeks after the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights made its final judgment demanding the immediate release of Selahattin Demirtaş. The indictment in the Kobani Case is based on a Twitter message posted by the HDP on 6 October 2014. This called for democratic protests in solidarity with the people of Kobanî, a Kurdish town in Northern Syria that was fighting against the attacks of ISIS, and also against Turkey’s embargo on the town. The prosecutor is calling for all the defendants to be given aggravated life sentences (without parole) 38 times for the crimes of “destroying the unity of the state and the integrity of the country” and “premeditated murder” of the people who lost their lives in the Kobani protests. Seventeen politicians are currently being held in pre-trial detention for this case.
