Prosecutors call HDP co-chairs to testify over terror charges


The co-chair of Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), which being accused of having links with the PKK terror organization, has been called to testify on charges of "being a member of an armed terrorist organization."

HDP co-chairman Selahattin Demirtaş was called to testify as a part of the probe launched by Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır. Nursel Aydoğan, an HDP lawmaker from Diyarbakır, was also called to testify.

Demirtaş had previously said they wouldn't testify after the legislative immunities of lawmakers were lifted for pending charges.

"We, including myself, are not going to go prosecutor's offices or courts as if nothing happened. I'm calling out to the prosecutor or judge who wants to call us to testify; either issue an arrest warrant or subpoena," Demirtaş had said.

A summary of proceedings was previously prepared regarding Demirtaş and he was called to testify, but he didn't reply to any of the calls.

Meanwhile, HDP co-chair Figen Yüksekdağ was also called to testify by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, daily Evrensel reported. According to the daily, she wouldn't go to testify.

Subpoenas were previously issued by Diyarbakır Second Heavy Penal Court for eight lawmakers from the HDP over the Kurdish Communities Union (KCK) case in Diyarbakır on Sept. 5.