ANKARA - Turkey`s State Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek has reacted to the statement of the Presidents Commission of the Supreme Court of Appeals, and said, "this statement is not only lack of democratic legitimacy, it is also lack of legal legitimacy. This is a political statement and it is totally inadmissible."
Earlier in the day, the Presidents Commission of the Supreme Court of Appeals issued a statement criticising certain political circles for attempting to influence and control the judiciary branch.
Cicek, said at a news conference he held with executives of the ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party, "we consider this statement unfortunate for our democracy and judicial system. The commission does not have the duty and the authority of issuing such statements. Our democratic judicial system does not allow use of any authority which does not stem from the Constitution and laws, on behalf of Turkish people. Therefore, this statement is not only lack of democratic legitimacy, it is also lack of legal legitimacy. This is a political statement and it is totally inadmissible. "
"This commission is not a political organ and it cannot take sides in political discussions. It cannot act like an opposition party. It is not the job of the judiciary to discuss activities of legislative and executive organs and processes of enactment. The commission which considers arguments of the public opinion an intervention in judiciary, violated Article 138 of the Constitution itself by taking sides in ongoing cases at a higher court," he added.
(UK)