The Washington Times
  • Subscribe
  • Times News Services
  • RSS
  • Mobile Headlines
  • e-edition
  • E-MAIL ALERTS
  • REGISTER
  • LOG IN
  • E-MAIL ALERTS
  • WELCOME
  • Your Profile
  • Log Out
  • Front Page Image
  • Classifieds
  • Autos
  • Real Estate
  • Jobs
  • Special Sections
  • Customer Service
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • NFL
    • NBA/WNBA
    • MLB
    • NHL
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsports
    • Soccer
    • NCAA
    • Olympics
    • Outdoors
    • Other
  • Culture
    • Home & Living
    • Family & Kids
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Washington Visitors
    • Books
    • Military History
    • Life
    • Auto
    • TV Listings
    • Movie Listings
    • Death Notices
    • Entertainment
  • Themes
  • Communities
  • Shopping
    • Stores
    • Coupons
    • Daily Double
    • Promotion
    • How It Works
  • Videos
    • Two Guys
    • Birnbaum on Washington
    • Liz Glover
    • Amanda Carpenter
    • Morning Briefing
    • Documentaries
    • Joe Giganti
    • Video Game Minute
  • Podcasts
    • About Headlines
    • Audio and Radio
    • America's Morning News
  • National

    PRUDEN: Obama's due process doctrine

  • National

    U.S. links 8 to Somali terrorist group

  • Business

    Home sales surge 10.1 percent in October

  • Local

    Fenty trails Gray in D.C. poll

  • Politics

    S.C. governor faces 37 ethics violations

  • National

    China holds lawyer who tried to see Obama

  • World

    Israel-Hamas prisoner swap talks advance

Home » News » Editor Favorites

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Turkish ruling party secure

Rate this story

Average 0.00
after 0 votes
Login or register to rate this story

High court rejects a motion to ban Islamic government

  • Font Size -+
  • Print
  • Email
  • Comment
  • Tweet this!
  • Share
  • Article
  • Comments ()
  • Click-2-Listen
  • Videos
Please stand by, images loading!
  • CELEBRATION: Turks bring out the national flag after their country's high court refuses to outlaw the Islamic-oriented government. (Agence France-Presse/Getty Images)

More Editor Favorites Stories

  • PRUDEN: Obama's due process doctrine
  • U.S. links 8 to Somali terrorist group
  • Home sales surge 10.1 percent in October
  • Fenty trails Gray in D.C. poll

By Nicholas Birch

ISTANBUL | Turkey's highest court on Wednesday narrowly rejected an indictment to outlaw the nation's ruling party for Islamist activities - ending months of turmoil that had paralyzed the NATO ally, frightened foreign investors and stalled the nation's bid to join the European Union.

The case reflected a split between pious Muslims with a Western-oriented reform agenda, who control parliament, and strict secularists who control the military and judiciary.

The court decision is likely to have repercussions in many nations throughout the Muslim world, where Islamic groups are vying for greater political participation.

"Had the party been banned, it would have had a devastating impact on other such groups in the region," said Henri Barkey, a Turkey specialist and professor of international relations at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.

After 30 hours of debate, six judges voted in favor of banning the Justice and Development Party (AKP), one shy of seven votes needed in the 11-member Constitutional Court.

The court also rejected prosecutors' demands to oust Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul from office and impose on both a five-year ban from political activity.

The court instead agreed to fine the AKP, with all but one judge voting to remove half the party's state funding, or about $15 million annually.

"There's only one word to describe my reaction to the decision," said Koksal Toptan, AKP's speaker in parliament: "Phew."

Edibe Sozen, a senior member of the government, which has its roots in political Islam, said she was "delighted."

"Turkey's democracy will be strengthened by this decision, I have no doubt about that," she said as she walked toward AKP's Ankara-based headquarters to celebrate with her colleagues.

[Get Copyright Permissions] Click here for reprint permissions!
Copyright 2009 The Washington Times, LLC

123Next »

Post a comment

There are comments on this article, submit your opinion!

Please login or register to post a comment

Ask a Question

You Report

Do you have another point of view, photos, audio, video or more information about a story?

Top Stories

Most Read

  1. Top Republican lawmakers not invited to State Dinner
  2. Islamic center in Maryland keeps ties to Iran
  3. EDITORIAL EXCLUSIVE: On terrorists, Justice recused
  4. Religious leaders vow civil disobedience on anti-life issues
  5. KELLNER: New Apple mouse really is 'Magic'
More Top Stories »
  1. Massive bill steals show in health care debate
  2. Report: D.C. schools chief Rhee mishandled sexual misconduct scandal
  3. Company that repaired Chairman Gray's house lacked license
  4. EDITORIAL: Gunning for Sarah Palin
  5. Green energy stimulus growing few jobs

Most Shared

  1. Ego of 'O': It's all about him
  2. Religious leaders vow civil disobedience on anti-life issues
  3. EDITORIAL: Schumer's change of heart
  4. Unemployment taxes hit small firms hard
  5. Green energy stimulus growing few jobs
More Top Stories »
  1. EDITORIAL: Death for being a Christian
  2. Islamic center in Maryland keeps ties to Iran
  3. Top Republican lawmakers not invited to State Dinner
  4. VMI faces probe into sexism
  5. The United Socialist States of America

Most Commented

  1. Work site arrests of illegals fall dramatically
  2. Top Republican lawmakers not invited to State Dinner
  3. Lobbyists spending big to shape health care debate
  4. Islamic center in Maryland keeps ties to Iran
  5. ANALYSIS: Obama takes a bow, but applause is weak
More Top Stories »
  1. Green energy stimulus growing few jobs
  2. Schumer: Dems will pass health bill alone
  3. EDITORIAL: Schumer's change of heart
  4. Senate Democrats win key vote on health bill
  5. EDITORIAL: Gunning for Sarah Palin

Listen to Washington Times Radio

  • America's Morning News

    with John McCaslin and Melanie Morgan

Question of the day

White House officials and Senate Democrats met in private three times last week to craft health care legislation. Do you think these discussions should be more public?

Blogs & Columns

  • Hot Button Blog

    RNC: Breast cancer recommendations may lead to 'rationing'

  • Belief Blog

    Evangelicals OK civil disobedience

  • Out of Context

    Foods that might kill libido

  • On the Fly

    United lifts some 'award' blocking

  • Technology

    Facebook wins round against phishing spammer

  • Redskins 360

    Mason returns

  • SNOBlog

    Beyond 'Woody'

Videos

Advertising Links
TWT Store
  • e-edition
  • Print Edition
  • Weekly Washington Times
TWT Affiliates
  • Middle East Times
  • Golf
  • UPI
  • Arbor Ballroom
  • Washington Times Global
  • About TWT
  • Press Room
  • F.A.Q.
  • Work for TWT
  • Advertise
  • Sponsors
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map

All site contents © Copyright 2009 The Washington Times, LLC.