Constitutional Court Member Engin Yıldırım replies to Minister Soylu who had attacked his court’s president

A reply came from Constitutional Court (CC) Member Prof. Dr. Engin Yıldırım to Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu, who had slammed the CC for its ruling annulling the provision disallowing meetings and protests from being held on highways. In the reply containing an oblique reference he tweeted to Minister Soylu, Yıldırım quoted Article 138 of the Constitution.

Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu singled out CC President Zühtü Arslan at the Negotiations in Social Events Course Opening Ceremony he attended yesterday. Criticizing the CC’s ruling annulling the provision disallowing meetings and protests from being held on highways, Soylu said, “The Constitutional Court rules. What does it matter if FETO people get in or PKK people get in? I say from here to the Constitutional Court President. Since we are a free country, you have approved the abolition of the right to walk freely along main streets and roads. There is no need for you to get police protection. Let’s see you go to work and back on your bike. I say to the Constitutional Court President that I am ready to get around by myself in my own car, are you?”

QUOTED ARTICLE 138 OF THE CONSTITUTION

Without naming names, CC Member Prof. Dr. Engin Yıldırım tweeted in reply. Yıldırım quoted Article 138 of the Constitution:

“Judges shall be independent in the discharge of their duties; they shall give judgment in accordance with the Constitution, laws, and their personal conviction conforming to the law. No organ, authority, office or individual may give orders or instructions to courts or judges relating to the exercise of judicial power, send them circulars, or make recommendations or suggestions. Executive organs and the administration must comply with court decisions; these organs and the administration shall neither alter court decisions in any respect, nor delay their execution.”

Yıldırım then posted photographs of him featuring bicycles glossed as “My cycling adventure 2020-1992” in reference to Soylu’s jibe, “Let’s see you go to work and back on your bike.” (EVRENSEL DAILY)