İzmir Bar seeks annulment of alcohol ban during lockdown
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The İzmir Bar Association has filed a case demanding the annulment of a ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages during the 17-day lockdown that started on April 29.
"Now you have the responsibility. Show that we are at least a state of law by stopping the execution of the decision without asking those who made this unbelievable decision, without giving time, without requesting a response," the bar said in its petition of application.
Businesses have been banned from selling alcoholic beverages despite a Ministry of Interior circular specifying the conditions of the lockdown makes no mention of alcohol sales.
The Ankara Bar Association on Friday (April 30) filed an application with the Council of State against the ban. "The de facto practice in dispute is deprived of any legal basis," it said.
During the weekend, Public Hygiene Committees of 21 provinces issued decisions banning the sale of alcoholic beverages during the lockdown.
Citing Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu, journalist Candaş Tolga Işık said on Twitter that the ban would continue until the end of the lockdown.
The minister previously said the same rules during weekend lockdowns would apply to the 17-day lockdown.
Critics have questioned the government's motive for imposing the ban, suggesting that it is using the pandemic as an excuse to interfere with people's lifestyles. (RT/VK)