Constitutional Court rejects HDP request for recusal of judge in closure case

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The Constitutional Court has rejected Peoples' Democratic Party's (HDP) request for the recusal of a judge in the closure case against the party.

In its application, the HDP noted that judge İrfan Fidan took part as a prosecutor or a chief prosecutor in previous investigations against at least 47 HDP members who are facing a ban from politics in the closure case.

The party alleged that this situation constituted "comments reflecting bias," and demanded the recusal of the judge.

The General Assembly of the top court rejected the request.

It also gave 30 days to the party for an additional defense.

Previously, the court ruled that files regarding former HDP deputy Behçet Yıldırım, who is on trial for "being a member of an illegal organization," and  MP Semra Güzel, who was stripped of legislative immunity and taken into custody in a "terrorism-related" investigation, should be included in the closure case file.

The HDP then made an application, demanding additional time for its defense.

The Constitutional Court in June 2021 accepted an indictment seeking the closure of the HDP for its alleged connections to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

In the case, nearly 500 HDP members are facing a ban from politics. (AS/VK)