HDP deputy co-chair Tuğluk sentenced to 1.5 years in jail over ‘violation of law on meetings’

KOCAELİ – Doğan News Agency

A court in the western province of Kocaeli has sentenced Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy co-chair Aysel Tuğluk to one-and-a-half years in jail in a case in which she stands trial for “organizing and managing” illegally conducted protests in front of the Kocaeli Prison, where she is currently imprisoned on terror-related charges. 

The Kandıra Criminal Court of First Instance on Jan. 2 found Tuğluk guilty over “violation of law on meetings and demonstrations” during the hearing. 

Tuğluk and her lawyer Nurin Tan were present at the hearing during which the deputy co-chair denied the charges and demanded her acquittal.

There are currently eight HDP deputies jailed on terror charges, including the party’s co-leader Selahattin Demirtaş.

HDP’s former co-chair Figen Yüksekdağ, who was stripped of her seat in parliament, is also imprisoned.