ANKARA - The third hearing of the Kobanê Political Genocide Trial has begun. While the hearing, attended by many people, continued with the defense of the lawyers, it was stated that many complainants did not demand to participate in the trial.

 

The 3rd hearing of the Kobanê Political Genocide Trial opened against 108 people, including the former Co-Chairs of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Central Executive Board (MYK) members and executives, has started at the Ankara 22nd High-Criminal Court.

 

Many people attended the hearing

 

HDP Co-Chairs Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar, HDP MPs, HDP provincial and district organization members, many citizens, bar association presidents of many cities, and many lawyers and journalists attended the hearing to be held in the Sincan Prison Campus Hall. Representatives of the US and British Embassies, members of the European Union (EU) Delegation of Turkey and Amnesty International representatives also attended the hearing.

 

A large number of police were present

 

In addition to armored vehicles in front of the Prison Campus, a large number of police and soldiers took part in the courtroom. The placement of snipers on the roof of the courtroom drew attention.

 

Many politicians participated with SEGBİS

 

HDP former Co-Chairs Figen Yüksekdağ and Selahattin Demirtaş, former Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-chair Gültan Kışanak, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) former Co-Chair Emine Ayna, HDP Radio and Television Supreme Board (RTÜK) member Ali Ürküt, HDP Foreign Relations Commission member Nazmi Gür, Kars Co-Mayor Ayhan Bilgen, who was replaced by a trustee, HDP former MP Gülser Yıldırım, HDP former Central Executive Board members Zeynep Ölbeci, Cihan Erdal, Can Memiş, Meryem Adıbelli, from the prisons where they were detained, and İmralı Committee member Sırrı Süreyya Önder from the Istanbul and HDP former MP Altan Tan from Diyarbakır were connected to the hearing via Sound and Video Information System (SEGBİS).

 

Sebahat Tuncel and Ayla Akat Ata in the courtroom

 

Rosa Women's Association founding member Ayla Akat Ata, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) former Co-Chair Sebahat Tuncel, HDP former Spokesperson Günay Kubilay, HDP Ecology Commission member Prof. Emine Beyza Üstün, HDP former MP İbrahim Binici, HDP Central Executive Board (MYK) member Alp Altınörs, HDP former compter Zeki Çelik, HDP former MYK members Pervin Oduncu, Ayşe Yağcı, Bircan Yorulmaz, Berfin Özgül Köse, Bülent Parmaksız, İsmail Şengül, Dilek Yağlı and Sibel Akdeniz were present in the courtroom.

 

Recusation demands rejected

 

With the chief judge coming to the hall, the hearing started with identification.

 

While reading the documents in the file, it was stated that the request of the politicians, who demanded a recusation, was rejected by the 23rd High-Criminal Court, which is a higher court.

 

Many complainants did not want to participate

 

Then, the names of the complainants who requested to participate in the case were read. While it was seen that most of the complainants did not request to join, it was stated that many pro-government institutions and associations requested to join the trial.

 

The trial continues with the defense of the lawyers.