Popular politician striving to return to parliament faces arrest warrant in 'terror' case

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Sırrı Süreyya Önder, a Green Left Party MP candidate who is working to return to parliament in the May 14 elections, is facing an arrest warrant.

Önder, one of 108 Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) politicians who are on trial for the deadly Kobanî protests in 2014, was issued a warrant for his arrest last week. The decision came after the last hearing, where the prosecutor demanded aggravated life imprisonment for all defendants.

The defendants are accused of organizing the protests on the orders of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The final hearing will be held on July 3.

Dozens of people were killed in clashes between police and different groups during the protests that broke out due to ISIS attacks on Kobanî, a Kurdish town in northern Syria.

Speaking to bianet about the case, Önder said, "It is necessary to consider this case within a certain historical context. This case was used as a plug to close political channels for people who engage in activities in the democratic political sphere. Anyone who looks at the content of the case, without an in-depth examination, can understand this in five minutes.

"According to those who prosecute this case, being a part of a political party's decision-making process, or even being a recognized face of a political party to the public, is sufficient evidence for being accused of a crime. This case was intended to be used as an instrument at all breaking and turning points of the oppressive regime dominating domestic politics in Turkey, in plain sight. Anyone who makes a brief archive search can see this.

"Let's say the democratic forces come together strongly, then this case is updated immediately.

"At the stage we have reached, we see that this hostilely worded indictment was read out hastily and urgently, coinciding with the president's visit to Diyarbakır. I say hostilely worded because there are expressions like 'Lawyers sneaked out' in it.

"I packed my suitcase"

Regarding whether the indictment will affect election campaigns, Önder said, "Yes, we are running an election campaign with limited resources and time. On top of that, a prosecutor is asking for the arrest of people who are in your circle. What can I do? I came home, packed my suitcase, and started waiting for the court's decision. When we embark on such a representation and responsibility, we also have a great responsibility to pay attention to such issues.

"But to summarize, I moved from preparing for parliamentary representation and political work to preparing for prison. This is roughly and briefly the situation."

Önder was nominated by the Green Left (Yeşil Sol) Party from İstanbul, as all other HDP candidates, due to the closure case against the party.

(TY/VK)