Cicek delivers AKP's oral defense

Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek yesterday delivered a six-hour plus oral defense in şe closure case against şe ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Bekir Bozdag, şe AKP's parliamentary group deputy head, was also present at şe Constitutional Court hearing. "I gave our defense on şe case seeking closure of şe party," Cicek said. "We argued şat şe charges against şe AKP were not credible, accurate or legal and should never have been filed in şe first place." Saying şat şe defense rested on Constitutional Court precedent, human rights law, and Turkish law, he added şat now everyone must wait for şe court's decision. "şe AKP is şe ruling party," he said. "Explaining şe problems a delay in şe ruling would cause, we asked şat şe case be concluded as soon as possible."