The second hearing of the Kobanê Trial against 108 politicians, 28 of whom in prison, including Figen Yüksekdağ and Selahattin Demirtaş, began in Akara today.

Before the hearing to be held in Sincan Prison Campus, inside and outside of the campus there was a heavy police presence. Lawyers, members of parliament and the public were kept waiting at the entrance of the campus for a long time with the allegation that “there was a bomb search ongoing” just before the hearing opened. Eventually the public was allowed into the courtroom.

Inside the courtroom police presence was also very heavy and a separate room was prepared for the general public, families and complainants.

Journalists who wanted to follow the hearing were not allowed into the courtroom on the grounds that they did not have a blur card. In addition, computers and phones were not allowed into the courtroom.

EU delegation attended the hearing

Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) co-spokesperson Sedat Şenoğlu, Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) co-chair Şahin Tümüklü and HDP deputies and party leaders attended the hearing, as well as experts from the European Union (EU) Turkey Delegation.