Court demands defense from Parliament for failure to read graft claims against ex-ministers

ANKARA

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) group deputy chairman Oktay Vural. AA Photo

An Ankara court has asked Turkey’s Parliament for a defense over its decision to reject opposition party demands for a full reading of a summary of proceedings against four former ministers facing corruption allegations. 

A Republican People’s Party (CHP) motion demanding that summaries of proceedings be read out in the General Assembly was rejected in a highly controversial 259-158 vote in an extraordinary session held March 19, leading Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) group deputy chairman Oktay Vural to file a complaint to the Ankara 11th Administrative Court.

Deputy Parliamentary Speaker Sadık Yakut of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) refused the full reading at the session, arguing that that would compromise judicial confidentiality.

Vural said the Ankara court accepted his complaint, adding that Parliament should prepare its defense within 30 days.

The summaries of proceedings about former Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan, former EU Minister Egemen Bağış, former Interior Minister Muammer Güler and former and Environment and Urban Planning Minister Erdoğan Bayraktar were reported to contain serious and concrete claims of corruption.

The Turkish Parliament agreed on May 5 to set up an inquiry commission into the graft allegations levied against the former ministers following a 453-9 vote.