Turkey issues arrest warrants for 82 including HDP members over 2014 incidents

Turkish authorities on Sept. 25 issued arrest warrants for 82 people, including a Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) mayor and former lawmakers, over protests that occurred six years ago.

Police have been searching for the 82 suspects in the Turkish capital and six other provinces, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.

“The Ankara Prosecutor’s Terror Crimes Investigation Bureau has launched an investigation into the PKK terrorist organization and its executives, as well as certain political party executives and members,” the prosecutor’s office said.

The prosecutor’s office has not specified the details about offenses the 82 people are alleged to have committed but has claimed that the crimes committed during the protests included murder, attempted murder, theft, damaging property, looting, burning the Turkish flag, and injuring 326 security officials and 435 citizens.