Turkey took a step towards prosecuting Kurdish deputies accused of militant ties on Tuesday, Nov 27, by seeking an end to their immunity, a move which could weaken Kurdish representation in parliament and fuel tension in the southeast, Reuters reported.

Ten Kurdish MPs were accused of militant links after they were filmed in August embracing Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels, rifles slung over their shoulders, in images which provoked public outrage.

Turkey has been battling PKK militants near its southeastern borders with Iran, Iraq and Syria since they took up arms almost three decades ago to push for autonomy, in a conflict that has killed more than 40,000 people, mostly PKK members.

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

Kurdish members of parliament have been the subject of frequent investigations, accused of links to the militants, but are protected from prosecution while they are in office, unless the assembly votes otherwise.