Breaking News... Constitutional Court ruling on Can Atalay!

The Constitutional Court has ruled by a majority vote that the rights of Gezi prisoner and TİP Hatay MP Can Atalay have been violated.

The text of the decision included the statement, "The right to be elected and to engage in political activity has been violated."

While 12 of the 15 members voted in favor of a rights violation, 3 members cast dissenting votes.

In a statement made on Sözcü TV, Can Atalay's lawyer said, "Can Atalay must be released immediately."

WHAT HAPPENED?

On October 25, the Constitutional Court (AYM) had previously ruled that the 'right to be elected' and the 'right to personal liberty and security' of MP Can Atalay, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison in the Gezi Park trial, had been violated. That decision was taken with a 9 to 5 vote. Following this, the decision regarding Can Atalay, whose release was expected, was not implemented.

Atalay was not released, and the file was sent back to the Court of Cassation.

The Court of Cassation subsequently filed a criminal complaint against the Constitutional Court members who had ruled that Atalay's rights were violated. In a statement, they requested that the Parliament strip Can Atalay of his parliamentary status.

Upon the second individual application made by Atalay's lawyers to the Constitutional Court, the High Court convened on December 13 and referred the file to the General Assembly.