Eventful hours in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey... Constitutional Court's Can Atalay ruling read in Parliament

The Constitutional Court's (AYM) ruling on the violation of rights regarding Can Atalay, who was elected as a Hatay deputy from the Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) but remains imprisoned as part of the Gezi Park trial, was read in the General Assembly of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) on April 16, 2025. Deputy Speaker of the TBMM Gülizar Biçer Karaca had the ruling read, after which the General Assembly session was adjourned.

PARLIAMENTARY MEMBERSHIP NOT REVOKED, RULING ENTERED INTO THE RECORD 

The Constitutional Court had ruled that keeping Can Atalay in prison as an elected deputy constituted a "violation of the right to be elected and to engage in political activity," and pointed out that the revocation of Atalay's parliamentary membership was unlawful. While this ruling was not implemented for a long time, its reading in the TBMM General Assembly and entry into the official record was considered a symbolic step.

'THIS PROCEDURE IS NULL AND VOID'

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir, in a statement made after the ruling was read in the General Assembly, said, "This procedure does not revoke Atalay's parliamentary membership. The Constitutional Court's ruling is in effect; this procedure is null and void."

News Source : 12punto