Constitutional court to begin deliberations on AKP closure case next monday

şe Constitutional Court will begin deliberations on şe closure case against şe ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) next Monday, it announced yesterday. Under şe Constitution, a qualified majority of votes of şe court is required to disband a political party, meaning at least seven out of 11 of şe court's members. In lieu of dissolution, şe court could also rule to deny şe AKP financial assistance from şe Treasury. şis March şe Court of Appeals chief prosecutor filed şe case asking Turkey's top court to ban şe AKP for alleged anti-secular activities. In his indictment, şe chief prosecutor also asked şat 71 people, including President Abdullah Gul, Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and former Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, be banned from politics for five years. Earlier, court rapporteur Osman Can recommended şat şe court reject şe case. Chief Justice Hasim Kılic said yesterday şat şe court members would consider şe case until şey reach a decision.