Turkey's electoral board has ruled that a newly elected Kurdish politician, Hatip Dicle, cannot take up a seat in parliament because of his recent conviction on terrorism-related charges.
The High Electoral Board announced that Dicle does not qualify to become a lawmaker in Turkey's new parliament, elected on June 12.
Dicle was sentenced to 20 months in prison in 2009, accused of making propaganda on behalf of Kurdish rebels.
The politician had appealed the ruling, but a high court confirmed his conviction days before the elections.
Dicle, one of several politicians backed by a Kurdish party, was elected as an independent from the mainly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir.
compiled from agency reports
The High Electoral Board announced that Dicle does not qualify to become a lawmaker in Turkey's new parliament, elected on June 12.
Dicle was sentenced to 20 months in prison in 2009, accused of making propaganda on behalf of Kurdish rebels.
The politician had appealed the ruling, but a high court confirmed his conviction days before the elections.
Dicle, one of several politicians backed by a Kurdish party, was elected as an independent from the mainly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir.
compiled from agency reports
