ANKARA - The third session of the second hearing of the Kobanê Trial has started. The lawyers explained the reasons for the recusation and asked the delegation to withdraw.

 

The third session of the second hearing of the Kobanê Trial has started. There are 108 defendants from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP); while 28 people have been arrested pending trial, there are judicial control measures on six and warrants against 75 people.  HDP MPs and lawyers are attending the hearing. Many lawyers are also attending the hearing via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS) from their cities. Experts from the European Union (EU) Delegation and diplomatic representatives of EU member states are also following the hearing.

 

Former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş and DBP former Co-Chair Sebahat Tuncel did not attend the hearing.  

 

Former HDP Co-Chair Figen Yüksekdağ, Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality former Co-Chair Gültan Kışanak, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) former Co-Chair Emine Ayna, HDP Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) member Ali Ürküt, HDP Foreign Relations Commission member Nazmi Gür, Kars Co-Mayor Ayhan Bilgen, HDP former deputy Gülser Yıldırım, HDP former Central Executive Committee (MYK) members Zeynep Ölbeci, Cihan Erdal, Can Memiş, Meryem Adıbelli and Sırrı Süreyya Önder, former HDP MP Altan Tan are attending the hearing. Gülfer Akkaya, who is tried without arrest, did not attend the hearing due to health problems.

 

Kurdish politician Ayla Akat Ata, HDP former Spokesperson Günay Kubilay, former MP Emine Beyza Üstün, İbrahim Binici, HDP new term Central Executive Board member Alp Altınörs, HDP former treasurer Zeki Çelik, HDP former MYK members Pervin Oduncu, Ayşe Yağcı, Bircan Yorulmaz, Berfin Özgül Köse, Bülent Fingersiz, İsmail Şengül, Dilek Yağ and Sibel Akdeniz are present at the courtroom.

 

'WITHDRAW FROM THE COURT BOARD'

 

The trial started with the lawyers' explanation of the reasons for the demand of the recusation of the court board. Lawyer Cemile Turhallı Balsak said, “The trial started on April 26, as our defense lawyer, we had requests for the recusal of the court board.  We ask you to withdraw as soon as possible due to the statements made by Alp Altınörs and Sebahat Tuncel.  If you are not going to withdraw, we demand that the file be sent to the higher court ”.

 

The trial continues with the defense of the lawyers.