Turkey orders arrests over 2014 Kurdish protests

Turkish authorities have arrested scores of people, including members of a pro-Kurdish political party -- in connection to violent protests six years ago over Islamic State's siege of a Syrian Kurdish city.

Thirty-seven people were killed in October 2014 when protesters took to the streets in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast region, accusing the Turkish army of standing by as Islamic State besieged Kobani, located close to the Syrian border.

Now authorities say they've arrested 82 people. Prosecutors say the warrants were issued over, quote, "several calls made to invite the public to the streets and carry out terror acts," adding suspects would be sought in seven provinces.

Ankara accuses the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party, or HDP, of links to the Kurdistan Workers Party, also known as the PKK, and inciting the demonstrations.

The PKK has been designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States, and European Union.

Peoples Democratic Party Co-chairman Mithat Sancar.

"The government wants to intimidate the opposition by silencing HDP and to spread fear amongst the public. HDP is not stopping speaking and will not. And we are sure that the public and political opposition will not be intimidated."

Broadcaster NTV and other media named HDP members among the suspects and said some had already been detained.