Top court official says court’s independence threatened by Turkey’s constitutional changes

Turkey: Court official in post-referendum warning

ANKARA, Turkey — A senior court official has warned that the independence of the courts could be brought into question after Turks approved changes to the constitution.

About 58 percent voted in favor of government-proposed amendments to the constitution crafted after a 1980 military coup, which includes provisions to make the military more accountable to civilian courts.

Some 42 percent voted against on Sunday, fearing the changes would give the ruling Islamic-oriented party powers to appoint judges and prosecutors close to the party, and allow it to advance a pro-Islamic agenda.

Kadir Ozbek, who heads the Judges and Prosecutors Higher Board, said Monday Turkey is at point that is “more backward than yesterday.”