Court issues forced appearance warrant for Buldan

The court issued a forced appearance warrant for HDP Co-chair Pervin Buldan.

The case in which Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-chair Pervin Buldan is accused of “membership to an armed terrorist organization” was heard in the Ankara High Penal Court No.18.

Buldan’s lawyer Bayram Arslan attended the hearing and submitted a petition to the court, citing that his client is a member of the parliament and as such, “the hearing should be put on hold”.

MP STATUS

Arslan said, “According to the Constitution, there can be no investigations or prosecutions against persons elected to the Parliament. A parliamentary decree is required to put my client on trial. As there is no such decision made, we demand a halt to the hearing.”

Public Prosecutor Necati Kayaközü argued that Arslan’s demand goes against convention and law and demanded it be rejected.

THE VERDICT

The Judge said the crime Buldan is accused of is among the exceptions for prosecution as per Article 14 of the Constitution, and rejected the demand.

The Judge also issued a forced appearance warrant for Pervin Buldan and postponed the hearing.