Bid to ax Turkish MPs' immunity for prosecution ready
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says proposal is set to be presented before parliament
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said a proposal to end Turkish MP's immunity from prosecution has been signed and is ready to be presented to parliament.
Davutoglu's remarks came during a parliamentary group meeting of his Justice and Development (AK) Party in Ankara on Tuesday.
"The proposal is ready to be presented to the parliament. I signed it last myself. Let's see who is afraid of getting his impunity rights removed," Davutoglu said.
The removal of MPs’ immunity from prosecution has been on the agenda for some time. Discussions in parliament heated up after allegations were made that Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputies helped PKK terrorists with ammunition and weapons.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke out on the issue on Monday during a congress in Istanbul. "If you committed a crime, you will pay for it," Erdogan said, without giving names, but hinting at HDP deputies.
"You carried weapons to terrorist organization members in your cars; how will we suppose to wait for your deputy term to end?"
During Tuesday’s speech, Davutoglu also offered his condolences to the people of Kilis, where on Monday night and Tuesday morning, projectiles fired from Syria hit the city, injuring a total of 21 people.
Kilis is a southeastern Turkish city close to the Syrian border
Davutoglu said the Turkish military had responded, striking Daesh sites across the frontier. "Hopefully, these tough days will be over soon and what will be left is the braveness and solidarity of people in Kilis."