Kurdish show trial shames Turkey
A trial that would shame any democracy is now in its fourth week in Diyarbakir, Turkey. Named the KCK trial, its processes have been widely condemned by the several hundred independent observers who attended during its first few days.
Charged with "violating the unity of the state" and "abetting terrorism" are 151 Kurdish politicians, lawyers, mayors and leaders of Kurdish civil society. Of these, 103 have already been in detention for the past 18 months, but details of the charges were not disclosed until 12 weeks ago.
This Friday is "crunch day" when the judge will decide whether to accept the defence team's argument that there is no case to answer and release those detained, or to let the trial continue with the "suspects" remaining in prison or released on bail.… Seguir leyendo »