MPs denied entry into Ankara courthouse to observe HDP politicians' hearing over Kobane protests

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Lawmakers of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and main opposition Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) were denied entry into the Ankara courthouse late on Oct. 1.

Some 20 HDP members, facing charges of encouraging people to take part in the 2014 Kobane protests, were brought to the courthouse late on Oct. 1, with a demand of their arrest.

A group of HDP and CHP lawmakers wanted to enter the courthouse to observe the hearing, but were prevented by police officers. CHP lawmaker Sezgin Tanrıkulu, who is a human rights lawyer, told the police officers that what they were doing was “against the law,” to which the police officer in charge replied, “I do not think it is.”

The police officers in question said that they had “instructions” from the prosecutors, whereas Tanrıkulu said that such a “verbal instruction” is of no value and there needs to be a judicial document for the prevention to have a legal basis.

"All HDP politicians under detention have been referred to the criminal court of peace for their arrest. With the instructions of the Ankara Courthouse Chief Prosecutor, a first is happening, the Courthouse has been closed to the lawmakers. All these unlawful actions are happening in your period," Tanrıkulu wrote on Twitter, mentioning the Justice Ministry.

Twenty HDP politicians were referred to the court late on Oct. 1 with a demand for their arrest. The court released former HDP lawmaker sAltan Tan, Sırrı Süreyya Önder and feminist activist Gülfer Akkaya under judicial control, whereas ordered the arrest of the 17 other HDP members.