The office ofthe Diyarbakýrchief prosecutor has initiated an investigation into the Nevruz speeches ofDemocratic Society Party (DTP) Co-Chair Ahmet Turk and former Democracy Party(DEP) deputy Leyla Zana.

The office of the Diyarbakýrchief prosecutor has initiated an investigation into the Nevruz speeches ofDemocratic Society Party (DTP) Co-Chair Ahmet Türk and former Democracy Party(DEP) deputy Leyla Zana.

Türk had mentioned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan'sname with the prefix "Mr." whereas Zana cited Iraqi President JalalTalabani, northern Iraqi administration head Massoud Barzani and Öcalan as thethree leaders of the Kurdish people.

Upon completion of the investigation, the office of the prosecutor willdecide if further action is necessary and bring the accused to trial.

In the event that a criminal case is opened, Türk and Zana will betried under Article 215 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) which provides for thecriminal prosecution of "praising" a crime and a criminal.

Türk was previously sentenced to six months imprisonment for prefixingthe name Abdullah Öcalan with "Mr." in a statement.

Today's Zaman