Prison sentences for HDP’s Demirtas and Onder approved

Turkish judiciary has rapidly approved prison sentences for HDP former co-chair Selahattin Demirtas and former MP Sırrı Sureyya Onder after the ECHR verdict for Demirtas’ release.

Istanbul 26th Heavy Penal Court had sentenced HDP former co-chair Selahattin Demirtas to 4 years and 8 months, and former MP Sırrı Sureyya Onder to 3 years and 6 months in prison. Both politicians, who are accused of “spreading propaganda for an armed terrorist organisation”, filed an objection to the sentences.

Istanbul Regional Courts of Justice 2nd Penal Chamber has approved the prison sentences for both Demirtas and Onder on Tuesday.

The court decision came after the European Court of Human Rights ruled for the termination of Demirtas’ pre-trial detention due to a violation of his rights.