'Islamist' Turkey - 'Plan to hire 8,500 jurists part of continued acts to seize judiciary'

'Islamist' Turkey - 'Plan to hire 8,500 jurists part of continued acts to seize judiciary' (TZ).

The government's plan to employ an extra 8,500 judges and prosecutors by the end of 2015 drew ire from the opposition, as the ruling party is accused of continuing its efforts to seize the judiciary through assignments like these.

None of the amendments or changes in laws concerning the judicial system by the government are done to ensure that justice is carried out better. As the former changes attempted to purge personnel and restructure the judiciary by subordinating it to the government, the current ones are also being planned with the aim of seizing the judiciary," Öztürk added.

Further commenting that all new assignments will not be made in accordance with the criteria of having high qualifications but rather of having close links to the ruling party, Öztürk argued that many pro-government lawyers working in AK Party-controlled municipalities will be assigned to the posts of judges and prosecutors."Thus, the government's intention to fully control the judiciary will be achieved," Öztürk added. Hmmm....No word if they have to pledge an oath of allegiance to the Caliph President?Read the full story here.