After the Constitutional Court decided that the rights of Erdem Gül and Can Dündar are violated, President Erdoğan said, “I don't obey and respect to that decision.” With this statement, Chief Judge of the Constitutional Court Zühtü Arslan became the focus of debates. Today, he made a statement: “Constitutional Court's decisions are binding to everyone. Disapproval or appreciation of anybody doesn't mean anything to the court.”
Last week, after Constitutional Court's decision of violation of rights, Cumhuriyet newspaper editor-in-chief Can Dündar and Ankara representative Erdem Gül were released. Then, President Erdoğan made a statement about that decision and said that he doesn't respect court's decision. With this statement, Chief Judge of the Constitutional Court Zühtü Arslan became the focus of debates. Today, he made a statement about this issue.
“Disapproval doesn't mean anything”
Arslan responded to President Erdoğan who stated that he doesn't respect court's decision. Saying that the decisions of the court is binding to everyone, Arslan added: “This is a constitutional rule. As part of Article 183, court's decisions are binding to all natural and legal persons.” Arslan also added: “Though people remember the existence of the court depending our decisions, we have always been here and we will always be here. Disapproval or appreciation of anybody doesn't mean anything to the court. We don't consider who the petitioner is. We don't take anyone's side. We only take side of the law and justice. We are against injustice. Our maxim is justice for all.”
Minister of Justice: the decision is against law
On the other hand, Minister of Jutisce Bekir Bozdağ made a statemet today: “It is obvious that Constitutional Court's decision about Erdem Gül and Can Dündar is against law. President Erdoğan's criticism about the decision is his democratic right.”
