Turkish president ratifies immunity bill

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey’s president on Tuesday approved a law lifting the immunity of 138 lawmakers, paving the way for criminal proceedings against them.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the bill after the 550-member Grand National Assembly passed two temporary amendments to the constitution to lift the immunity of deputies facing criminal cases.

There are 51 deputies from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) facing charges; 50 from the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party; nine Nationalist Movement Party deputies; and one independent. Deputies from the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party lawmakers make up the remaing 27.

The amendments will be published in the official Gazette and come into effect immediately.