Turkey Passes Bill Tightening Control of Judiciary

Local Editor

Turkey's parliament on Saturday passed a contested bill tightening the government's control over the judiciary, a parliament source said.

The legislation was adopted after violent scuffles between ruling and opposition party lawmakers.
Fighting erupted between ruling party and opposition lawmakers as the bill was debated overnight, with at least one deputy seen with a bloodied nose.

Parliament on Friday resumed debate of the bill despite an uproar from opposition parties and the international community when it was initially tabled last month.

Turkey's government is grappling with a high-level corruption scandal that has ensnared top allies of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan since it erupted on December 17.

The scandal involving allegations of bribery for construction projects as well as illegal trade with sanctions-hit Iran marks the biggest challenge yet to Erdogan's 11-year rule ahead of March local elections.

The Turkish strongman claimed that the graft probe has been instigated by political rivals, including powerful exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen.

He has retaliated by sacking thousands of police and prosecutors running the investigation.

The judicial legislation is seen as Erdogan's latest attempt to re-impose control.
It includes clauses that would give the justice minister the right to launch investigations into members of the top judicial body Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors, and the right to dictate the topics discussed during the board's meetings.

The law now awaits the signature of President Abdullah Gul to come into force.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team