The trial on KCK --which is claimed to be PKK terrorist organization's secret urban wing-- began yesterday. The southeastern province of Diyarbakir Metropolitan Mayor Osman Baydemir is also among the suspects. Suspects' demand to be released was rejected.
KCK BEGINS, SUSPECTS ASK TO DEFEND THEMSELVES IN KURDISH
The KCK case (terrorist organization PKK's secret urban wing), in which 151 people are being tried, began in Diyarbakir on Monday. The most striking part of the first hearing was the request of the suspects to defend themselves in Kurdish. Suspects, who are accused to be members of KCK, replied in Kurdish during the identification phase of the hearing.
THEY SAID "EZ LIVIRIM" INSTEAD "I'M HERE"
Kurdish defense request sealed the first day of KCK (PKK terrorist organization's secret urban wing) trial in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir. 151 suspects appeared before the judge for the first time after 552 days. Some suspects wanted to make their defenses in Kurdish. The court will respond to this request today. Suspects replied "ez livirim" meaning "I'm here" during identification in the court, thus, it was declared from the very beginning that this is a 'political case'. Now the issue of "the right to make defense in Kurdish" was added to the agenda of Turkey.
THEY KNOW TURKISH
The trial began for 152 suspects --103 of them under arrest-- who were detained during operations against KCK --PKK terrorist organization's secret urban wing. Kurdish crisis sealed the first day of the trial. Suspects, whose names were read-out for identification in the court, stood up and said "Ez Li virim" (I'm here). Then they said they wanted to make their defenses in Kurdish. Prosecutor objected their request, and said that they gave testimony in Turkish during the interrogation. The court will announce its decision today.
RELEASE DEMAND REJECTED IN KCK CASE
The KCK case (terrorist organization PKK's secret urban wing), with 152 suspects and 7,578-page indictment, began in the Diyarbakir 6th Heavy Criminal Court on Monday. The court rejected the demand of the suspects, who replied in Kurdish during the identification phase of the trial, to be released. The court will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the suspect to defend themselves in Kurdish.