Turkish president 'facing trial'

Published by You on 18 May, 2009 - 21:48

A Turkish court has ruled President Abdullah Gul should stand trial for alleged embezzlement in the late 1990s.

The Welfare Party, a precursor of the governing AK Party, was accused of misappropriating funds from the state treasury after being banned in 1998.

Mr Gul, a founder of the AKP, was elected president in 2007.

The case will now be considered by an appeal court. But it is unclear whether Mr Gul will end up going on trial, as he could have immunity as president.

Correspondents say Turkey's secular establishment has often used the courts to oppose the activities of the Islamist-rooted AKP.

Last July, the Constitutional Court came close to banning the party for allegedly trying to undermine the country's secular system...

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