Turkish parliament strips imprisoned opposition lawmaker of seat

2024-12-26 08:37:02 source:lotradecoin offers category:My

ISTANBUL (AP) — The Turkish Parliament stripped an imprisoned opposition lawmaker of his parliamentary status on Tuesday, defying a ruling made by the country’s top court in September.

After months of legal and political turmoil that saw two of the highest courts in Turkey clash, the decision by the Court of Appeals to unseat Can Atalay, a lawyer and human rights activist who was elected to the parliament in May while in prison, was read in the Turkish parliament.

The Constitutional Court had ruled for Atalay’s release, saying his freedoms and rights to hold office were being violated.

In November, the court of appeals took the unprecedented step of filing a criminal complaint against Constitutional Court justices who ruled for the politician’s release, accusing them of violating the constitution. It said it would instruct parliament to begin the process of unseating Atalay.

Other news 2 masked men kill a person in attack on Catholic church in Istanbul. Officials detain 2 ISIS members Cyprus government unveils support measures for breakaway Turkish Cypriots ahead of UN envoy’s visit NATO chief upbeat that Sweden could be ready to join the alliance by March

As the court’s decision was read in parliament by Deputy Speaker Bekir Bozdag, opposition lawmakers rushed to the podium.

Some booed and held up signs reading “Freedom to Can Atalay”, while one threw a copy of the Turkish constitution at Bozdag.

Erkan Bas, chair of the left-wing Worker’s Party of Turkey, the party that Atalay represented, called the move “not only irregular but also illegal.”

“We are watching the completion of a coup attempt that trampled on the Constitution,” Bas said.

Atalay was convicted last year, along with seven other defendants, of attempting to overthrow the government for organizing nationwide protests in 2013. He rejected the accusation but was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

More:My

Recommend

Through 'The Loss Mother's Stone,' mothers share their grief from losing a child to stillbirth

I've always heard that photography could be therapeutic, and after losing both of my parents within

The Excerpt podcast: Israel-Hamas truce deal delayed, won't start before Friday

On today's episode of The Excerpt podcast: The Israel-Hamas truce deal has been delayed. USA TODAY N

The New York Times Cooking: A recipe for success

When it comes to turkey, Melissa Clark is an expert. She's an award-winning cookbook author, and a f