Legal process of AKP closure case to begin today

Constitutional Court Chief Justice Hasim Kilic told reporters yesterday that after copies of Chief Prosecutor Abdurrahman Yalcinkaya's indictment seeking closure of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) are handed out to his colleagues, the legal process will officially begin today. After an initial assessment by the top court's members, a legal process that could last months or even years could begin. After the indictment is forwarded to the AKP, the party must prepare a preliminary defense within one month. Under the Constitution, seven of the court's 11 members would need to approve the indictment for the closure to take effect.