A trial against the jailed leader of pro-Kurdish opposition party, Selahattin Demirtas has opened in Ankara, ABC News reported.

Selahattin Demirtas was arrested on terrorism charges in November 2016.

Demirtas refused to connect to the courtroom via a televised link, said an HDP spokesman, Ayhan Bilgen.

Prosecutors are seeking a total of 142 years in prison for Selahattin Demirtas.

Selahattin Demirtas was charged with leading a terror organization, engaging in terror propaganda and inflaming inter-ethnic discord. According to Demirtas supporters, the prosecution's case is based on the politician’s open criticism of the Turkish government.