HAYRİ DEMİR
In the ongoing Kobani case involving 108 individuals, including former co-chairs of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Figen Yüksekdağ and Selahattin Demirtaş, no releases were granted during the latest custody review. The trial, which has detained 18 of the accused, has been deferred to May 16 for a final decision. This session marked the 82nd hearing of the case at the 22nd High Criminal Court in Ankara, focusing on incidents linked to the "Kobani protests" that erupted between October 6-8, 2014, following ISIS attacks on Kobani.
The trial was held not in its usual venue but in a courtroom at the Sincan Prison Campus, constructed for the trials of the July 15 coup attempt. Among the observers were political party leaders and representatives from various civic organizations, including senior figures from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Turkey’s Labor Party (TİP), highlighting the political significance of the proceedings.
Despite expectations for a conclusive verdict, the session concluded with an interim decision to continue the examination of the detainees due to incomplete analysis of defense statements and other procedural delays. Prominent figures such as Alp Altınörs and İsmail Şengül, who remain detained at the high-security Sincan Prison, were present in the courtroom, while other defendants participated via video link.
During the hearing, defendants reiterated their calls for release. Alp Altınörs criticized the basis of the arrests, linking them to a tweet from the HDP’s official account, which he argued was a legitimate call for democratic solidarity against ISIS atrocities, akin to international responses at the time. Despite their defense, the prosecution persisted in their accusations of serious criminal activity and flight risk, advocating for continued detention.
The trial's backdrop involves broader accusations against HDP members for allegedly inciting violence during the Kobani protests, an event that has seen widespread condemnation of ISIS's actions and a call for protective measures for civilians under siege. The complex legal proceedings reflect ongoing tensions between the government and opposition figures, underscored by claims of political motivations behind the prosecutions.
The court decided to reconvene on May 16, after more than four hours of deliberations, leaving the defendants and their supporters awaiting a future judgment. This decision continues to draw attention to the case's broader implications for political freedom and the rule of law in Turkey.
In a related note, concerns for the health of detained former RTÜK member Ali Ürküt were raised, with his son revealing a recent cancer diagnosis, attributing his condition to his imprisonment conditions. This aspect underscores ongoing concerns regarding the welfare of political detainees in Turkey.
Background on Kobani case
