Selahattin Demirtas

On May 16, 2022, the Ankara 22nd Assize Court sentenced Selahattin Demirtas, former leader of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and the most popular Kurdish politician in Turkey, to an excessive and lengthy 42 years in prison. 

Former co-chairs of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, have been handed substantial prison sentences in the case stemming from events dating back to the 2014 protests that erupted into deadly clashes in eastern Türkiye.

Supporters of imprisoned People's Democratic Party (HDP) presidential candidate Selahattin Demirtas at an election campaign office in Istanbul, June 2018. Photo: EPA-EFE/SEDAT SUNA

The Committee of Ministers decided on Thursday that "a document setting out the possible options" for sanctions should be prepared for discussion at the committee's meeting in September.

The co-chairs of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar, have announced that they will not rerun for the party leadership at the first HDP congress after the elections as they have not reached the targeted success in the May 14 polls.

Selahattin Demirtaş, former co-leader of the People's Democracy Party (HDP), has announced his decision to quit active politics in a move that follows the parliamentary and presidential polls in May.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on May 26 urged opposition Nation Alliance candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu to reveal the details of their agreement with the pro-PKK Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), now also known as the Green Left Party (YSP).

Photo Illustration: Pinho/Unsplash

"The RTUK made it clear in today's meeting that it aims to bring critical broadcasters in line before the election," Tasci wrote on Twitter.

A jailed Kurdish leader said an attempt to ban his leftist party was part of Tayyip Erdogan's plans to foment "chaos" in Turkey's opposition ahead of elections this year, but said it would not save the president from defeat after two decades in power.

Supporters of the HDP shout slogans during their march against the arrest of pro-Kurdish People's Democtaric Party HDP parliamentarians in Istanbul, 18 June 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE/SEDAT SUNA

Turkish Gendarmerie clash with Kurdish demonstrators during a protest against Islamic State (IS) militants near Sanliurfa, Turkey, 07 October 2014. Photo: EPA/SEDAT SUNA

A little over half were arrested and the others were still being sought, the Ankara Prosecutor's Office said in a statement.