The trial has begun in Turkey of 151 people, including 12 mayors, accused of links to the armed rebel group, the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK).
They are accused of crimes including membership of an illegal armed group, spreading its propaganda, undermining Turkey's territorial integrity and holding illegal public demonstrations.
Hundreds of supporters gathered outside court for the trial in Diyarbakir.
It is being seen by some as a test of Turkey's democratic credentials.
EU representatives are reportedly monitoring the proceedings in Diyarbakir, the largest city in the Kurdish-dominated south-east of the country.
The courtroom had to be specially built because of the number of those being tried.
They include the mayor of Diyarbakir himself, Osman Baydemir, who has publicly called for Kurdish autonomy.
The PKK has fought a 26-year conflict with the Turkish government, which has claimed more than 40,000 lives.
It has revised previous demands for independence, and now calls for more Kurdish autonomy. It is viewed as a terrorist group not just in Turkey, but by the US and European Union.
BBC News
