Kurdish Politicians Sentenced to Imprisonment

The latter constitutes an offence according to the Law on Political Parties. Both party administrators have been sentenced to one-year imprisonment.

Neither the alleged actions had realized nor Tuğluk and Türk can be held accountable for them, said defense lawyer Nuri Özmen talking to bianet.

The allegations are based on a press release that was confiscated by court order before it even circulated. "Even so, to held the chairpersons accountable, a central executive committee decision must be present in the bookings. No such decision exists" adds Özmen.

Vice chair of DTP, Hasip Kaplan annotates the court ruling as yet another attempt to pressure the party.

"This trend dates back to the establishment of our party. They aim at preventing DTP from functioning and sending representatives to the Parliament on coming general elections in November".

On a higher level, he says, the establishment is trying to block a democratic and peaceful solution to the decades long Kurdish problem. Given the millions of voters supporting DTP, Kaplan believes this to be an intentional effort.

Numerous party officials, regional and district administrators are continuously facing trials and accusations by prosecutors on allegations of causing hatred, supporting illegal organizations as defined in the new Penal Code artciles 215, 216 and 220 as well as the Prevention of Terrorism Act, he says.

Furthermore, so-called security cautions, such as road blockages or identity checks by armed forces obstruct the free functioning of party officials, Kaplan notes.

"We'll use all our rights to pursue politics in a civic manner".

Socialist Democracy Party (SDP) chair Filiz Koçali relates the incident to government's policies towards Kurdish region of northern Iraq, especially the current controversy concerning Kerkuk.

"While a civic peace initiative has been conveyed both by Kurdish and Turkish intellectuals during the recent Turkey Looking for Peace conference, aspirations for a military solution are gaining ground".

Party of Labor (EMEP) chair Mustafa Yalçıner agrees and comments that the ground is paved for a military operation into Northern Iraq. He reminds how the Turkish army chief Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt targeted the organizers of the conference as a threat to the country's unity.

Turkey's Communist Party (TKP) chair Aydemir Güler follows the same reasoning and says that Turkey's policies towards Kurds in the region are a part of the United States' general plan regarding Middle East. "Its reflection on the society is an increasing nationalist sentiment".

Lastly, Freedom and Solidarity Party's (ODP) recently reelected chair Ufuk Uras sees an opportunity in the upcoming elections for civic politics to advance.

"The presence of the Kurdish political movement in the Parliament would ease the tension in the country. It's the logical outcome of a multi-cultural Tukey".(TK/EÜ)