Turkish Parliament Approves First Article of Bill on Stripping MPs' Immunity
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Turkish lawmakers voted Friday in favor of an article of constitutional change that could see pro-Kurdish and other lawmakers prosecuted, with the voting indicating support would be sufficient to avoid a referendum on the issue.
In a secret ballot, 373 MPs in the 550-seat parliament backed the plan to lift MPs' immunity from prosecution, which critics say targets the pro-Kurdish opposition and could fuel tensions between Kurdish militants and the state, Reuters reported.
The assembly was set to hold two further votes on elements of the bill Friday which will determine the final outcome.
