A Turkish court has handed down sentences ranging from nine to 42 years in prison to several pro-Kurdish politicians in connection with deadly riots that occurred in 2014. The clashes, which took place over three days in October 2014, resulted in 37 deaths and numerous injuries, both among police officers and civilians. The protests were sparked by Kurdish frustration over what they perceived as Turkish government inaction against Islamic State group militants besieging the Syrian border town of Kobani.
A total of 108 individuals were charged with various crimes related to the riots, including the killings of the victims and offenses against the state's integrity. Among the defendants were former leaders of the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP), Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, who were accused of organizing the protests and inciting violence.
