Corruption trial postponed for former Turkish ministers

ANKARA, Nov 25 (AFP) - The trial of two former Turkish energy ministers over alleged kickbacks involving government procurement contracts was adjourned to December 21 at a hearing on Thursday.
Cumhur Ersumer and Zeki Cakan are on trial before the constitutional court -- which sits in cases concerning former ministers -- over serious irregularities in contracts, notably for the purchase of gas.
At Thursday`s sitting the court agreed to a delay to allow them to prepare their defences. A lawyer acting for Cakan accused the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of pushing the trial for political reasons, and said his client was being subjected to a "political lynching."
If convicted, the two could face jail terms of up to 10 years. There is no right of appeal to the court`s rulings.
The two accused are former members of the conservative Motherland Party (ANAP).
Erdogan`s government, anxious to gain credibility for Turkey`s bid to join the European Union, has vowed to crack down on corruption.

11/25/2004 15:55 GMT - AFP