Turkish Parliament receives proposal seeking to lift immunity of CHP MP Tanrıkulu

Turkish Parliament has received a total of eight summaries of proceedings seeking to have legislative immunity lifted for seven opposition lawmakers, including CHP MP Sezgin Tanrıkulu. Last month, Tanrıkulu said the Turkish military once “threw 15 villagers out of a helicopter” and the incident was confirmed by the ECHR

Monday October 02 2023 02:20 pm

Photo: AA

Duvar English

Turkey’s Justice Ministry has submitted to parliament fresh summaries of proceedings seeking to have legislative immunity lifted for eight lawmakers, including main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) MP Sezgin Tanrıkulu.

The proposals target two CHP MPs, three Green Left Party (YSP) MPs, two Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) MPs, and one Democrat Party (DP) MP.

The Joint Constitution and Justice Committee of Parliament will examine the summary of proceedings prepared by the prosecutors.

Sezgin Tanrıkulu faces charges of “Publicly insulting the military or security forces of the state” and “inciting the people to hatred and enmity.”

Tanrıkulu on Sept. 8 stated on a live TV broadcast that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) once “threw 15 villagers out of a helicopter” and the incident was confirmed by the ECHR.

“Isn't this the Turkish Armed Forces that carried out the fascist coup on September 12 (1980)? Isn't this the army that attempted a coup on July 15 (2015), burned villages. (there are) dozens of unsolved murders. There are cases that I follow. Isn't it the TSK that throws 15 villagers out of the helicopter? Confirmed by the decision of the ECHR,” the 60-year-old lawmaker stated.

His remarks drew huge attention as his party criticized the remarks in question, whereas the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on Sept. 9 launched an investigation into him.

In order for a legal action to start against a lawmaker, prosecutors need to submit a summary of proceedings to parliament. If parliament then votes to strip the lawmaker of their immunity from prosecution, they are tried by courts.