Lawsuit filed over NATO protest in Ankara: Indictment prepared against 19 HKP members

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has prepared an indictment against members of the People's Liberation Party (HKP) regarding protests held during the 36th NATO Summit in Ankara on July 7-8.

The indictment charges 19 individuals who participated in an anti-NATO demonstration in front of the First Parliament on July 5 with "participating unarmed in unlawful meetings and demonstrations and failing to disperse voluntarily despite warnings." In the same file, punishment was also requested for 4 party members for the crime of "resisting to prevent the performance of a duty."

Extensive security measures were taken in Ankara prior to the NATO Summit, and a 13-day ban on demonstrations was declared by the governor's office. Despite this, some left-wing and socialist parties and organizations held anti-NATO protests on different dates.

During this period, the TKP and HKP held separate demonstrations on July 5; the TİP, EMEP, EHP, the Revolutionary Party, Halkevleri, and Kızılbayrak held coordinated protests in Kurtuluş and Dikmen on July 7. Police intervened in these demonstrations, and a total of 230 people were detained.

Those detained were held in custody for 4 days, coinciding with the conclusion of the NATO Leaders' Summit, before being referred to the courthouse and released following judicial proceedings.

The indictment regarding the HKP members alleges that despite the Ankara Governor's Office's ban on open-air demonstrations, an "unauthorized call for assembly" was made from the party's official social media accounts. It was argued that the protesters gathered with party flags and did not leave the area despite police warnings to disperse and the time allotted.

The file also includes allegations that some suspects forced their way through police barricades. The indictment notes that while the suspects defended themselves by stating they were exercising their democratic rights, their defense was not credited, citing "video recordings, law enforcement reports, and the entire scope of the file" as justification.

If the indictment is accepted, the 19 HKP members are expected to appear before a judge in the coming days.

News Source: 12punto