Court Rejects Objections on Suspension Order in Gezi Park

Istanbul 6th Administration Court rejected an objection by Culture and Tourism Ministry of Turkey on the suspension of a construction project in Taksim Gezi Park on May 31 upon the complaint of Taksim Gezi Park Preservation and Embellishment Association.  

Acting upon a motion from Taksim Gezi Park Preservation and Embellishment Association, the court ruled the suspension of a former decision dated February 27, 2012 and taken by Higher Council for Preservation of Cultural Heritage (Kültür Varlıklarını Koruma Yüksek Kurulu). 

The association claimed that the project aimed to transform the park into a shopping mall in the name of reconstruction Topçu Barracks. 

On May 31, the court also decided with a majority vote for stay of execution on the Topçu Barrack Project - which aimed to replace Taksim Gezi Park.  

According to radikal.com.tr, the court rejected the ministry’s objection with majority vote. Only the panel judge have reportedly objected the court’s decision. 

This rejection of objection is almost a routine decision, advocate Can Atalay told bianet. He also added that they were also soon expecting a decision from another lawsuit by Chamber of Architects, Chamber of City Planners and Chamber of Landscape Architects on the construction plan in Istanbul 1st Administration Court. (BK/BM)