HDP member Birdal arrested in Iran sentenced to 16 years in prison 2022-08-22 14:44:15   VAN - HDP Ağrı Provincial General Assembly member Mehmet Birdal, who was arrested in Iran, where he went for business, was sentenced to 16 years in prison on political grounds.   Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Ağrı Provincial General Assembly member Mehmet Birdal, who was arrested in Iran, where he went for trade, was sentenced to 16 years in prison by the regime courts. Hengaw Human Rights Organisation announced that the Maku Criminal Court sentenced Birdal to "being a member in the PKK", "attempting to harm Iran's national security" and "providing financial resources to organisations against Iran".   Hengaw reported that Birdal, who was arrested in the city of Maku in Urmia in September 2021, has been deprived of his right to a lawyer since the day he was detained and has not met with his family.