Turkish parl. strips 2 pro-Kurdish lawmakers of their MP status

The Turkish parliament has voted in favor of stripping 2 opposition lawmakers of their status.
The Peoples’ Democratic Party or the HDP says the 2 MPs were removed from office on the ground of absenteeism. The opposition party slammed the move saying this was the first time a parliament member lost their seat for this reason. Local media reports say the 2 are currently abroad to escape trial on accusations of links to Kurdish militants. The government accuses HDP officials of having links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party or the PKK which is viewed by Ankara as a terrorist group. The party fiercely denies the allegation saying it is being targeted because of its opposition to the government.