Turkey's newly appointed Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag criticized on Friday the country's top judicial body HSYK's statement that the recently introduced judicial police regulation was in violation of the constitution.
"The statement by the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) is not accord with the principles of constitutional state and judicial independence," Bozdag said in his written statement.
The HSYK on Thursday said the new regulation which requires police forces to notify civilian superiors ahead of any investigation was openly in violation of the Turkish constitution.
The regulation was introduced after a number of police chiefs were removed from office in the aftermath of December 17's anti-graft operation which saw the detention of a number of high-ranking bureaucrats, businessmen and politicians including sons of three cabinet ministers.
Bozdag, a former deputy prime minister, said, "This statement is an interference in judicial independence and an infringement on the Article 138 of the constitution which outlaws making recommendations and suggestions to a court involved in handling an ongoing case.
"The Board has taken upon itself a mandate that does not exist in law."
Article 138 says no organ can give orders or instructions to courts or judges relating to the exercise of judicial power, send them circulars, or make recommendations or suggestions.
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