Constitutional Court to Examine Law on Criminal Enforcement as to the Merits

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The General Assembly of the Constitutional Court has examined the appeal against the law on criminal enforcement on procedural grounds.

Having completed the first phase of its examination on the request for the annulment of the law in terms of form considerations and stay of its execution, the Constitutional Court will announce its judgement on the request for annulment as to the merits at a later date yet to be specified.

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After around 90 thousand people have been released from prisons based on "The Law Foreseeing Amendments to the Law no. 7242 on the Execution of Sentences and Security Measures and Some Laws," the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has appealed to the Constitutional Court and requested the annulment of the entire law in terms of form considerations and the stay of its execution. The Constitutional Court made its first examination on procedural grounds yesterday (May 6).

While the law has enabled the release of around 90 thousand convicts amid Covid-19 pandemic, political prisoners, criminals of thought and arrested journalists have not been included in the law foreseeing reduced prison sentences and early release despite the opposition's efforts.

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In its meeting yesterday, the General Assembly of the Constitutional Court made its first examination on the objection.

Chaired by Constitutional Court President Zühtü Aslan, the meeting was held via video conference as part of pandemic measures.

Having detected no deficiencies in the application, the General Assembly of the Constitutional Court will conclude the request for annulment at a later date yet to be specified after making an examination as to the merits.

The court will also announce its judgement on the request for stay of execution during its examination as to the merits. (AS/SD)