Kurdish politician Tuncel sentenced to 5 months in prison

Former deputy and DBP co-chair charged with violating law on demonstrations.

The AKP judiciary continues to punish Kurdish politicians by considering democratic actions as "crimes".

The trial of Democratic Regions Party (DBP) co-chair and former HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party)deputy Sebahat Tuncel, held hostage in Kandira F Type Closed Prison, was heard at the 11th Court of First Instance of Büyükçekmece.

Tuncel is accused of "violation of Law No. 2911 on Demonstrations" because of her participation, in 2012, to a march in support of prisoners on hunger strike. She joined with video conference system SEGBİS in the meeting. Tuncel's lawyers were also present.

In her short defense, Tuncel said: "It was a democratic march promoted to give voice to the prisoners", she said, underlining that they were the main victims.

The judge sentenced Tuncel to six months imprisonment for "violation of Law No. 2911 on Demonstrations".

The court reduced the penalty to 5 months.