Main opposition appeals high court for judiciary package

ANKARA

CHP deputy Levent Gök. AA Photo

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has appealed to the high court for the annulment of certain articles of a controversial new judicial package, on the grounds that they breach Turkey's Constitution.

CHP deputy Levent Gök, who filed the petition on behalf of the party, said they asked for the annulment or stay of execution for Articles 23, 25, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 of the package.

The removal of opinions on cases presented by the Supreme Court of Appeals prosecutor and by deputy prosecutors is against the Constitution, Gök told reporters on Dec. 17.

He suggested that every citizen in Turkey is a “reasonable suspect, according to the government’s arbitrary approach,” as the new law introduces the condition of “reasonable suspicion” for police to monitor people, their house and workplace.

According to the amendments, the government would be able to seize real estate on the grounds of “crimes against the government and breaches of the Constitution” the CHP deputy said, stressing that it would allow the government to act even more harshly against opposition sentiment in Turkey.