Main opposition appeals to top court for partial annulment of intel law

ANKARA

CHP deputy Ahmet Toptaş files the related appeal. AA Photo

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has appealed to Turkey’s top court for an annulment and stay of execution of certain articles of a law expanding the powers of Turkey’s intelligence service.

After its adoption by Parliament in late April, President Abdullah Gül approved the law granting greater powers to the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), which opposition parties argue will turn Turkey into a "surveillance state."

CHP Afyonkarahisar deputy Ahmet Toptaş filed an appeal for the annulment and stay of execution of certain articles of the law to the Constitutional Court on June 23.

CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has suggested that the law would serve as a step by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government to turn Turkey into “an intelligence state.”

“In Germany, they founded the Gestapo. Was it legal? Yes, it was legal. But it didn’t give intelligence to the state, only rather the party. The same is taking place here,” Kılıçdaroğlu said at the time.

The legislation is widely considered one of the latest bold moves by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan aimed at tightening his grip on state agencies. Erdoğan and his government have been embroiled in a huge graft scandal since last December, but the prime minister vehemently denies the corruption claims, calling them “fabricated” and part of a smear campaign by U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen and his followers to discredit the government.