Turkey: Prosecution to be heard on 10 January in critical closure case

Turkey's Constitutional Court will hear the chief appeals prosecutor in the closure case against the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) on 10 January, Turkish state news agecy AA said on Monday.

Prosecutor Bekir Sahin's statement will be followed by defense statements by HDP representatives, and the court's rapporteur will subsequently prepare and submit a report to the court.

The court panel will convene on a date to be announced later in the process, and a decision will be made with at least 10 votes of the 15 judges.

In the case of a ruling against HDP, the panel may decide to close the party, or to deny it political finance by the Treasury.

HDP is expected to receive about 180 million TL (approximately $9.5 million as of 13 December) in 2023 according to the proposed presidential budget.

The party is accused by the prosecution of "providing space for the activities of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)." The prosecutions calls for the closure of the party and for a political ban on hundreds of party officials and members, including co-chairs.

The timing of the Constitutional Court's decision is crucial as parliamentary and presidential elections are planned to be held in June. The opposition says a snap election, as early as March, is possible.

HDP received 11.7% of the popular vote in the 2018 elections and secured 67 seats in the Turkish Grand National Assembly.