Ruling party to face closure trial

Following nearly five hours of deliberations, Osman Paksut, deputy chief justice of the 11-member Constitutional Court, said yesterday that the court had decided to examine an indictment seeking the closure of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the political ban of the prime minister and dozens of lawmakers. The indictment was accepted unanimously, except the section seeking the political ban of President Abdullah Gul, which was passed by a vote of 7-4.