TURKISH opposition leader Figen Yuksekdag hailed the resistance of women in her “political show trial” in Ankara today, vowing to defend the truth as she faces a lengthy jail term on trumped-up terrorism charges.

The former People’s Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair appeared via video-link at the Sincan prison court just outside the capital as prosecutors sought 83 years in prison for management of a terrorist organisation.

The 92-page indictment against the revolutionary Marxist was for activities and speeches she had given for the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) — a platform of Kurdish associations and movements established in 2011 that proclaimed democratic self-government.

As the judge opened proceedings, insisting the defence case was finished during today’s hearing, Ms Yuksekdag warned that her case was political and she would be making “political statements.”

Prosecutors charged her for a speech she gave in the largely Kurdish city of Diyarbakir at a previous rally for International Women’s Day.

She warned: “Women in our country are exposed to violence by men every day. Increasingly increasing male violence today is used by the government as a means of suppressing women,” explaining how the city had been destroyed with hundreds of opposition politicians arrested and hundreds banned.

Ms Yuksekdag explained that a week before her speech that Kurdish civilian Taybet Ana was killed by government forces.

Cizre was under military bombardment and the Sur district of Diyarbakir had suffered in a way “which no human being, especially women, could ever accept.”

“I greeted this resistance at the rally in Diyarbakir. Today I greet you again,” she told the court.

Ms Yuksekdag also charged with “terrorist organisation propaganda,” “opposition to the law on meetings and demonstrations,” “incitement to hatred and hostility” and “incitement to crime.” 

She faces aggravated life imprisonment if convicted of all charges against her.

The hearing was adjourned until April 19.