TURKEY TAKES STEP TOWARDS PROSECUTING KURDISH MPS

November 27, 2012 – 21:06 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Turkey took a step towards prosecuting Kurdish
deputies accused of militant ties on Tuesday, Nov 27, by seeking an
end to their immunity, a move which could weaken Kurdish representation
in parliament and fuel tension in the southeast, Reuters reported.

Ten Kurdish MPs were accused of militant links after they were filmed
in August embracing Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels, rifles
slung over their shoulders, in images which provoked public outrage.

Turkey has been battling PKK militants near its southeastern borders
with Iran, Iraq and Syria since they took up arms almost three decades
ago to push for autonomy, in a conflict that has killed more than
40,000 people, mostly PKK members.

The PKK is designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States
and European Union.

Kurdish members of parliament have been the subject of frequent
investigations, accused of links to the militants, but are protected
from prosecution while they are in office, unless the assembly votes
otherwise.

From: Baghdasarian