13 summaries of proceedings seek to lift 11 opposition MPs’ legislative immunity

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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13 new summaries of proceedings seeking to lift the legislative immunity of 11 opposition MPs have been sent to the Parliament.

Delivered to the Speaker's Office, the summaries have been submitted to the Parliamentary Joint Commission on Constitution and Justice.

The summaries have been filed against the following 11 MPs: Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) MPs Berdan Öztürk, Meral Danış Beştaş, Ayşe Acar (2), Ömer Öcalan, Feleknas Uca, Murat Sarısaç, Dersim Dağ (2) Sait Dede, Pero Dündar; Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) Chair Erkan Baş; main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) MP Veli Ağbaba.

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The process of lifting legislative immunity

Prosecutors send summaries of proceedings against MPs who face charges to the Ministry of Justice. The ministry sends the filings to the Presidency and it refers them to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Constitution and Justice. If the committee decides to put the summaries on its agenda, a drafting committee will be set up for each file. The joint committee has one month to discuss decisions of drafting committees.

If the committee votes for the lift of immunities, the summaries of proceedings will be sent to the parliament's General Assembly. MPs whose immunities are sought to be lifted will testify before the Parliament. A simple majority of votes is required for the lift of the immunity of an MP.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have a majority in both the committee and the General Assembly of the Parliament. (RT/SD)