Motions filed to lift CHP, HDP deputies' immunity

ANKARA

Turkey's Justice Ministry submitted a dozen motions Friday seeking to lift the legislative immunity of 8 opposition deputies, including the co-chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).

Justice Ministry sources told Anadolu Agency that the ministry submitted motions to lift the legislative immunity of four main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputies and four HDP deputies, including Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtas.

Five of the 12 motions submitted to the premiership concern Demirtas on charges of "insulting the president and public officials due to his duty, openly instigating people to hatred and hostility, and acting contrary to electoral law".

HDP Diyarbakir Deputy Nursel Aydogan is charged with "acting contrary to electoral law", HDP Sirnak Deputy Ferhat Encu with "insulting public officials and hindering public officials carrying out their duties”, and HDP Diyarbakir Deputy Imam Tascier with "acting contrary to the electronic communications' law."

- CHP deputy charged with ‘aggravated fraud’

One of the four CHP deputies – Aydin Deputy Metin Lutfu Baydar – is charged with "aggravated fraud and abuse of office".

CHP Eskisehir Deputy Camal Okan Yuksel is charged with "insulting and attempting to obstruct a fair trial," CHP Antalya Deputy and former Antalya Mayor Mustafa Akaydin with "abuse of office", and CHP Mersin Deputy and former Culture Minister Fikri Saglar with "insulting the president".

The motions will be referred to Turkey's parliament, and the office of the parliament speaker will then forward the motion to the Joint Parliamentary Commission on Constitution and Justice, which will decide whether the full parliament should vote on lifting the immunity.

If put to a vote, the motion to lift the deputies' immunity requires an absolute majority, i.e. 276 votes.