Justice Ministry sends summary of proceedings for HDP’s Güzel to presidency

ISTANBUL

The Justice Ministry has concluded a procedure for a summary of proceedings to lift the immunity of Semra Güzel, a lawmaker for the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), and has sent it to the Presidency to be forwarded to parliament.

The move came after recently emerged photos of Güzel together with a PKK terrorist, who was killed during an operation.

“Those who serve under the roof of parliament must distance themselves from terrorism, or else necessary actions should be taken in line with parliament’s bylaws,” Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop said earlier.

“I personally believe the immunity [of lawmakers] must be lifted in cases which involve crimes against the constitutional order and the path should be cleared for trial,” Şentop said, adding that a summary of proceedings regarding Güzel is already pending in parliament.

“A dossier for this lawmaker was prepared back in March 2019 for alleged membership to a terrorist organization. Authorities are currently working on this dossier,” the parliament speaker said.

Güzel’s photos taken together with a PKK terrorist recently circulated on local media.

PKK terrorist Volkan Bora was killed in an operation in April 2017 in the southeastern province of Mardin. As part of an investigation, security forces examined Bora’s cellular phone and found pictures taken in a PKK camp in northern Iraq, which showed Bora and Güzel together.

Last week, a summary of proceedings seeking to lift legislative immunity for 28 opposition MPs, including 25 deputies of the HDP, Güzel being one of them, were submitted to parliament.

The Joint Constitution and Justice Committee of parliament will examine them.