Turkish prosecutors probe pro-Kurdish party’s new co-leader

ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey’s state-run news agency says prosecutors have launched an investigation into a leader of the pro-Kurdish opposition, a day after she was elected co-chair of the party.

Anadolu Agency said Monday that Peoples’ Democratic Party, or HDP, co-leader Pervin Buldan is being investigated for possible violation of Turkey’s sedition laws and for allegedly engaging in terror propaganda.

The probe relates to a speech she made during the party’s congress on Sunday. Sirri Sureyya Onder, a prominent HDP legislator, is also under investigation, Anadolu reported.

Buldan was elected to replace Selahattin Demirtas, who has been behind bars since November 2016 pending trial on terror charges for alleged links to outlawed Kurdish militants. Several other HDP legislators have also been jailed.

The HDP is Turkey’s second largest opposition party.