Court to hear case for ban on ruling party

Turkey's top court said yesterday that it will hear a case for a ban on the country's Islamic-rooted ruling party, a decision that could lead to months of political uncertainty in a nation divided over the role of Islam in society.

The 11-member Constitutional Court announced its decision after discussing the argument for the dissolution of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's party on grounds that it is trying to scrap secular principles enshrined in the country's constitution.

Osman Paksut, deputy chairman of the court, said the decision was unanimous.