HDP leader refuses to testify if prosecutors request

As the constitutional amendment regarding the lifting of parliamentary immunity entered into force, the Justice Ministry has begun submitting files of deputies to prosecutors, who have summary of proceedings, thus starting legal proceedings. Selahattin Demirtaş, the co-chairman of the pro-PKK Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), spoke in Antalya during the weekend and criticized the prosecution process by saying, "I recommend that prosecutors do not send an invitation to us. We won't attend. You will have to force us to attend." Stating that they won't attend voluntarily, he added, "We are not disrespectful against jurisdiction; however there is no jurisdiction to which one can show respect."