Politics in Turkey: Deputy’s parliamentary membership revoked

The decision of the 3rd Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation regarding Turkey Labour Party Hatay Deputy Can Atalay was read in the Assembly. With this, Atalay’s deputyship has officially been revoked. A constitution booklet was thrown at Bekir Bozdağ (Deputy Speaker) who read the decision.

The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) General Assembly convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Bekir Bozdağ. The decision to revoke the parliamentary membership of TİP Hatay Deputy Can Atalay, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison in the Gezi trial (Gezi protests in Istanbul and allover Turkey) and not released despite the Constitutional Court’s decision of violation of rights twice, was read in the General Assembly.

With the reading of the decision, Atalay’s deputyship was officially revoked. With this, the number of TİP deputies also decreased to 3.

After the reading of the decision, opposition deputies walked to the rostrum with placards in their hands. A constitution booklet was thrown at Bekir Bozdağ who read the decision to revoke Can Atalay’s parliamentary membership.

CHP: THREATENING THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRATIC REGIME

It was stated in the CHP’s closed session petition that the decision to revoke Can Atalay’s parliamentary membership was learned to be read at 14:55.

CHAOS IN THE ASSEMBLY

Speeches were made both in favor and against the decision read in the Assembly regarding the revocation of Can Atalay’s parliamentary membership.

AKP Group Chairman Abdullah Güler said, “Are we going to discuss a case under Article 153 of the Constitution here? According to Article 154, there are binding provisions of the Court of Cassation on cases heard before judicial authorities. According to the content of the Constitution, we are reading the decision that has been finally decided. We are not making judgments.”

TİP CHAIRMAN ERKAN BAŞ: CONSTITUTION IS BEING TRAMPLED

Speaking at the General Assembly, TİP Chairman Erkan Baş used the following statements: “An unlawful procedure is being carried out. The Constitution is being trampled upon. What we object to is this; the decision of the Court of Cassation, which says ‘We do not recognize the Constitution,’ being read in the Parliament. When it is recorded in the minutes of the Parliament this much, your parliamentary status is also questioned. Now the decision will be read, and the parliamentary membership will be revoked. So, is he a member of parliament or not? If he is a member of parliament, why has he been imprisoned for 9 months? Bekir Bozdağ is going to read the decision. He deserves it because he knows how to read! Let Bekir Bozdağ, who massacres justice in Turkey, have this done first! Don’t spare any effort.”

WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

The Constitutional Court (AYM) had issued a second violation of rights decision regarding TİP Hatay Deputy Can Atalay, who was imprisoned in the Gezi Trial. Istanbul 13th Heavy Penal Court, just like in the first violation decision, had sent the file to the Court of Cassation.

The Chamber had decided not to comply with the decision of the Constitutional Court, stating that “the second violation decision given by the Constitutional Court has no legal value, and in this context, there is no decision that can be applied within the scope of Article 153/6 of the Constitution.”