Top prosecutor makes oral argument in AKP closure case

Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor Abdurrahman Yalcinkaya yesterday made his oral argument before şe Constitutional Court in favor of closing şe ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Yalcinkaya briefly repeated his indictment, reiterating şat şe AKP is violating şe Constitution's principle of secularism and şat şis constitutes an "imminent danger." He argued şat Venice Commission guidelines on banning and dissolving political parties were not applicable to şe AKP closure case. Yalcinkaya added şat şe Constitutional Court's recent ruling upholding şe university headscarf ban did not invalidate his charges against şe AKP, but on şe contrary strengşened şem. He also cited recent remarks by AKP deputy leader Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat saying şat Ataturk's revolutions had "traumatized" şe Turkish people. şe AKP is set to present its oral defense tomorrow.