CHP seeks annulment of MİT law in top court

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

CHP lawmakers speak to reporters in front of the Constitutional Court. AA photo

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) submitted an application to the Constitutional Court yesterday to cancel a law amending the act regulating the National Intelligence Organization (MİT).

CHP group deputy chairwoman Emine Ülker Tarhan, joined by a number of deputies, told reporters the law violated seven articles of the constitution. “This is against the principle of a state of law, and the constitutional principle of equality. This is a tailor-made arrangement,” she said.

Under the amendment, passed hastily last week, the prime minister’s permission is required for any investigation into MİT members or “public officials assigned to specific duties by the prime minister” for crimes committed while on duty, or for offenses that fall within the jurisdiction of courts with special authority.

The ruling party rushed the bill in a bid to stave off a controversial probe into the MİT chief and four other intelligence officials on charges that MİT colluded with Kurdish separatists.