The hearing of the Peoples' Democratic Party’s (HDP) former co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş was held at the Ankara 25th High Criminal Court on Friday. The next hearing is scheduled for May.

Selahattin Demirtaş is accused of "insulting" former Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor Yüksel Kocaman and "threatening public officials in charge of fight against terrorism".

Demirtaş attended the hearing through the Video Conferencing System (SEGBİS) from Edirne Type F Closed Prison where he is held in custody.

HDP MPs Pero Dündar, Filiz Kerestecioğlu, Ali Kenanoğlu, Zeynel Özen, Hüseyin Kaçmaz and Murat Çepni, lawyers from the party's legal commission, provincial and district organization executives, and Labor Party (EMEP) deputy chair Selman Gürkan monitored the hearing.

Demirtaş told the court committee that “If you're going to be part of this conspiracy, don't content yourselves with sentencing me alone because this will not bring votes to Erdogan."

Demirtaş added, "When the rule of law is restored, you will be held accountable before the law."

The court board decided to dismiss the request for withdrawal from the case as the delegation did not have reasons to do so based on articles 22-23 of the Turkish code of criminal procedure (CMK).

The delegation rejected the "recusation" on the grounds that it was “intended to prolong the case".

Demirtaş and his lawyers will be able to submit the recusation demand to a higher court within 7 days.

The next hearing will be held on May 7.