Turkish court issues arrest warrant for HDP MP Semra Güzel

A Turkish court has issued an arrest warrant for pro-Kurdish HDP deputy Semra Güzel after parliament lifted her immunity on accusations of terrorism.

Duvar English

A Turkish court has issued an arrest warrant for pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Semra Güzel, state-owned Anadolu News Agency reported on March 24.  

The move came after Turkish parliament on March 1 voted to lift the deputy's immunity on accusations of terrorism.

Earlier this year, Turkish prosecutors launched an investigation into Güzel following accusations that she was linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

During the peace process between the Turkish state and the group, Güzel visited a PKK camp in 2014, and she was photographed standing next to PKK member Volkan Bora. The HDP said that the visit was at the behest of the state, while the ruling coalition has accused her of membership in the group.

Following the lifting of Güzel's immunity, the relevant summary of proceedings were sent to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the investigation to go through.

The prosecutor's office demanded an arrest warrant to be issued for Güzel, and the request was accepted by the court.