Global delegates gathered at Ankara’s Severe Penalty Court No 22 on Monday, casting an international spotlight on the Kobani (Kobanê) trial. The case involves 108 Kurdish politicians who are being prosecuted for their role in protests that took place from 6-8 October 2014, following an ISIS attack on Kobani, a predominantly Kurdish town in northern Syria. The international presence, including representatives from Germany, Switzerland, Lebanon, France, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Egypt, demonstrates the widespread interest in the trial.
The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), to which the accused politicians belong, disseminated the information on a social media platform, stating, “Politicians, journalists, writers, poets and activists from #Germany, #Switzerland, #Lebanon, #France, #Norway, #Sweden, #Iceland and #Egypt observed today’s “Kobane trial” in solidarity with the Kurdish politicians. 108 politicians, 18 of whom have been arrested, are on trial for the protests that took place on October 6-8, 2014 in many cities in Kurdistan and Turkey following the ISIS attack on Kobane.”
The international delegation also expressed their support, sharing the following message: “The so-called ‘Kobanê case’ began in April 2021 in Ankara and is still ongoing in October 2023. We participated in international observation on the first day and have returned today. This thread provides context, details about the case, and what we have observed”.
The trial is widely considered a barometer for Turkey’s judicial system and its treatment of Kurdish politicians and activists. During the lunch break, international observers had a group photo taken outside the courtroom, further emphasising the global scrutiny surrounding the trial.
The hearing continues tomorrow.
