ANKARA (AA) - ``Lift parliamentary immunity of Republican People`s Party (CHP) parliamentarians if there are corruption allegations against them and lets bring them to court,`` CHP leader Deniz Baykal said on Tuesday.
Taking the floor at the group meeting of his party Baykal said, ``there is a file also against me. Lift my parliamentary immunity (if you can). You cannot because you know your turn will come.``
``CHP has openly revealed its position on the issue. It is ready to lift the immunity of all its parliamentarians if there are corruption allegations against them. We are challenging you,`` Baykal stressed. -ARMENIAN ISSUE-
Baykal, who also mentioned the Armenian issue, stated that the stance of the European countries against Turkey as regards the allegations of so-called Armenian genocide reflect the mentality of the Middle Ages. ``This approach is very dangerous for Europe,`` he said.
Baykal harshly criticized the opening of a legal procedure against Turkish Institute of History (TTK) Chairman Prof. Dr. Yusuf Halacoglu because of his statement on the allegations of so-called Armenian genocide; initiatives in Belgium to sentence those who make similar statements up to one year in prison; and decisions taken in parliaments of several countries.
Baykal said he was mostly offended by the decision made in Polish Parliament, stating that no problem whatsoever existed between Turkey and Poland in the past.
(AY-ULG)
2005-05-03