HDP closure case: Constitutional Court accepts 'new evidence'

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The General Assembly of the Constitutional Court completed the examination of the additional evidence in the case filed for the closure of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).

The evidence submitted by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office of the Court of Cassation includes the summary of proceedings for the lift of legislative immunity of HDP deputy Semra Güzel because of her resurfaced photos with a member of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The party will be notified of the new evidence and can submit a statement about it within 30 days, the court stated.

HDP officials quoted by Mezopotamya Agency (MA) said they had not yet been notified.

The Constitutional Court in June 2021 accepted an indictment seeking the closure of the HDP for its alleged connections to the PKK, as well as a political ban for nearly 500 HDP members.

The HDP submitted its defense to the top court in late April.

What will happen now?

Now, the rapporteur, who will collect information and documents about the case, will prepare a report on the merits. While this process is ongoing, the Chief Prosecutor's Office of the Court of Cassation and HDP can submit additional evidence or defense.

After the report is handed out to the Constitutional Court members, Court President Zühtü Arslan will set a date for the meeting and, on the specified day, the members will start examining the case as to the merits.

A two-thirds majority, or votes of the 10 of 15 Constitutional Court members, are needed to close the party because of the reasons cited in article 69 of the Constitution or impose other sanctions on the party such as partially or completely depriving it of public aid.

The top court ruling will be submitted to the Court of Cassation Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, which filed the case, and to the related political party, namely the HDP, and will be published in the Official Gazette. Those who have been imposed a political ban will not be able to be founders, members, executives or supervisors of any other political party for five years. (TY/VK)