Turkey's former justice minister, lawmakers 'fail law test'

Former Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ and lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) have reportedly failed a law exam. Some 27,537 people, including academics, members of the judiciary and politicians, took the mediation test on Nov. 24, with 6,271 of them passing via obtaining at least 91 points. Bozdağ, however, failed by receiving 72 points.

Duvar English

Former justice minister and several lawmakers have reportedly failed a law test, amid debates on the country's deteriorating judicial system.

Some 27,537 people, including academics, members of the judiciary and politicians, took the mediation test on Nov. 24, with 6,271 of them passing via obtaining at least 91 points.

Former Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ, however, received 72 points and failed the exam, of which the questions were allegedly distributed to pro-government figures beforehand, daily Cumhuriyet reported on Dec. 11.

When asked about the results, Bozdağ's adviser Bilal Çetin denied that he took the exam, although a document showing the results was sent by the daily.

Another name who failed the exam was Hakan Öztatar, General Manager of Legal Affairs that's under the Justice Ministry's Mediation Department, who took 88 points.

According to the daily, none of the lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) who took the exam passed the test, with deputy Ramazan Can failing by only one point.

Justice Ministry spokesperson Ertuğrul Çekin said that the tests are carried out by Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, adding that the ministry has no role in the processes.