AKP submits preliminary defense to constitutional court

Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Deputy Chairman Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat, accompanied by other top AKP officials, yesterday submitted to Turkey's top court their party's preliminary defense against a case seeking its closure. In March, Court of Appeals Chief Public Prosecutor Abdurrahman Yalcinkaya filed a case asking the Constitutional Court to close down the ruling party, alleging that it had become the focal point of anti-secular activities. In his indictment, the chief prosecutor demanded that 71 people, including President and former Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, be banned from politics for five years. The Constitutional Court on April 2 sent the indictment to the party, asking for its defense within one month, meaning tomorrow. The preliminary defense will now be sent to the Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor's Office. After the prosecutor states his views on the merits of the case, the party will present a verbal defense within one month.