ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that his Justice & Development (AK) Party would not ask for extra time to prepare its preliminary defense, regarding the dissolution case (against his party).
Erdogan told reporters that AK Party most probably would give its preliminary defense today.
Chief Public Prosecutor of the Court of Appeals, Abdurrahman Yalcinkaya, filed a lawsuit on March 14th asking the Constitutional Court to close Turkey`s ruling AK Party, arguing that "the party has become the focal point of anti-secular activities."
Turkey`s top court (Constitutional Court) has sent on Apr. 2nd the indictment regarding the dissolution and prohibition case to ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party along with the approbation record.
AK Party has to submit its preliminary defense within a month after the notification. Period given to AK Party will expire on May 2nd.
According to the Constitution, at least 7 of the 11 members of the court have to vote in favor of the closure to shut down a political party.
In line with Article 69 of the Constitution, the court may instead decide to reduce or cut the financial aid given to this party from the Treasury.
(AY-ULG)