Turkey sentences pro-Kurdish politicians to lengthy prison terms over deadly 2014 riots

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A Turkish court has sentenced dozens pro-Kurdish politicians to between nine and 30 years in prison over deadly riots that broke out in 2014 by after Islamic State group militants besieged the Syrian border town of Kobani. The rioting by Kurds resulted in 37 deaths and left hundreds of others injured. The protests were called by pro-Kurdish politicians frustrated that the government didn’t act against the IS militants. Critics say the trial was politically-motivated. The party’s jailed former party chairwoman Figen Yuksekdag was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Thursday. Her co-chair Selahattin Demirtas received more than 28 years. The politicians were expected to appeal.