The second hearing of the 'KCK' Van trial against Kurdish politicians opened today in the city. Among the politicians under trial are the city mayor, lawyer Bekir Kaya, Bostaniçi District Mayor Nezahat Ergunes, Baskale former District Mayor İhsan Guler.

In the 710-page long indictment, all activities organized and attended by 13 elected politicians were re-classified as crimes. These include civilian Friday prayers (weekly Islamic prayers not organized by government’s official religious leaders) and even press statements (such as the one from Newroz on the 8th of March honoring International Women Workers Day).

Lawyers have left the hearing room in protest against the court board which, in response to the demand of Van Bar Association President Murat Timur, refused to leave the statements of secret witnesses out of the file. Lawyers said they are leaving the hearing because the court will not hold a fair trial.

Bekir Kaya and other defendants are also protesting against the court board by sitting their back turned on the chief judge.