Death Penalty Is Removed From Penal Code

ANKARA (A.A) - 02.08.2002 - The Parliamentary General Assembly approved on Friday Article 1 of the bills package on adjustment with the European Union (EU).
Under this article, death penalty is removed from penal code except war and situations of imminent war.
In line with this amendment to the Turkish Penal Code, death sentence to terrorist crimes is commuted to life in prison. However, death penalty given to crimes committed in times of war and imminent war is protected.
Inmates who are convicted of terrorist crimes and whose death penalty is commuted to life in prison cannot benefit from any pardon or conditional release.
A total of 419 MPs joined the open vote that was help upon the request of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Article 1 was approved by 256 votes against 162. 1 deputy cast abstaining vote.