Turkish prosecutors expected to summon Kılıçdaroğlu for testimony as former MPs' immunities lifted

With the start of the legislative period for newly elected parliamentarians, investigations will begin against former MPs who have files prepared against them during their term. Turkish prosecutors are also expected to summon the main opposition’s presidential candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu who was not elected as an MP to the courthouse.

Tuesday June 20 2023 07:08 pm

Duvar English

Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Parliamentary Crimes Investigation Bureau has processed 350 files of those who were not elected as MPs in the new legislative term, including the Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader and former presidential candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.

During their time in office, every member of the Turkish Parliament has legislative immunity and no action can be taken against them unless their immunity is lifted by parliament or they are caught red-handed in an aggravated criminal offense. The files prepared against MPs while they are in office are processed after their term ends.

Prosecutors will be assigned to handle the files of MPs who served from 2018 to 2023, which will be sent to the "general, terror, and civil servant crimes investigation bureaus." Subsequently, the suspects will be summoned to testify, according to Anadolu Agency.

Among these investigations, Kılıçdaroğlu has 18 files on charges of "making propaganda for a terrorist organization," "inciting the public to hatred and hostility," "insulting a public official," and "slander."

Kılıçdaroğlu is expected to be invited to the courthouse and his statement will be taken by the deputy chief prosecutor of the investigation bureau where his file is located. In the next stage, if sufficient evidence is obtained, a lawsuit will be filed against Kılıçdaroğlu.