A handpicked panel is behind Turkey’s ongoing judiciary rift, as reported by Alican Uludağ for Deutsche Welle Turkish on Thursday.
According to Turkish journalist Uludağ, the ongoing judicial crisis in Turkey can be traced back to a decision made by a selectively composed panel in the Court of Cassation’s 3rd Penal Chamber. This panel, handpicked to handle the case of Can Atalay, an MP from the opposition Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP), bypassed the broader membership of the chamber, which typically includes 18 members.
The root of the crisis lies in the confrontation between the Constitutional Court (AYM) and the Court of Cassation. The AYM’s ruling ordering the release of MP Atalay was not implemented by the Court of Cassation, leading to a standoff that has been described as a constitutional crisis. This situation highlights a deepening rift within the Turkish judicial system, reflecting a struggle over the interpretation of judicial roles and powers.
The composition of the panel has been a focal point of debates following the outbreak of the judicial crisis. According to Uludağ, some members have expressed discomfort with the perceived expansion of the Constitutional Court’s role, viewing it as an overreach into the legislative domain and a challenge to the established legal system. On the other hand, there are voices within the Court of Cassation that believe defying the Constitutional Court’s decision was a misstep, indicating a division within the judiciary.