ANKARA - The Constitutional Court will conduct its first examining on the indictment, which was re-prepared for the HDP's closure, on June 21.

 

The Constitutional Court (AYM) will conduct its first examining on the second indictment submitted by the Supreme Court of Appeals Prosecutor's Office on June 21, demanding the closure of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). After the rapporteur reassigned for the indictment completes the report on the first examination and presents it to the delegation, the Constitutional Court will conduct the examination and decide whether the indictment is accepted or not. 

 

During the first examination, the General Board will also consider the request for the closure of the party, its declarations, activities and actions, the request for a political ban on the persons mentioned in the indictment, and the decision to block the bank account of the party's treasury aid as a precaution.

 

How will the process work?

 

If the indictment is accepted, it will be sent to HDP for preliminary defense. HDP must give its preliminary defense within the time allowed by the Constitutional Court. However, the party can apply for an extension of this period. The request for additional time will be decided by the Constitutional Court. After the preliminary defense is given by the party, Supreme Court Chief Prosecutor Bekir Şahin will present his opinion on the merits.

 

This opinion will also be sent to HDP. Later, on dates to be determined by the Constitutional Court, Chief Public Prosecutor Şahin will make an oral statement, and HDP officials will make an oral defense. After the whole process, the rapporteur, who will collect information and documents related to the case, will prepare his report on the merits. While these proceedings are in progress, both the Supreme Court of Appeals Prosecutor's Office and HDP will be able to submit additional evidence or a written defense. After the report is distributed to the members of the Constitutional Court, President Zühtü Arslan will set a date for the meeting, and the members will come together on the designated day and begin to discuss the closure request.

 

The Constitutional Court board consisting of 15 people will decide on the closure case about the HDP. Decisions can be made with a 2/3 majority of the members attending the meeting, that is, with the votes of 10 out of 15 members. If the Constitutional Court determines that the party members whose political ban is requested caused the party to be dissolved with their statements and actions, these persons will not be the founder, member, executive, and auditor of another party for five years, starting from the reasoned publication of the final decision in the Official Gazette.