Turkey’s highest court has struck down an attempt to outlaw the country’s ruling AK Party and ban many of its members, including Turkey’s prime minister and president. For years the Turkish military has accused the Islamic-rooted AKP of undermining Turkey’s secular laws. Six of the eleven judges on the Turkish court favored banning the AKP, one vote short of the seven required. Instead, the court sanctioned the AKP by cutting off state funding for the party. The chair of the Turkish constitutional court, Hasim Kilic, said the ruling should be seen as a strong warning for the AKP.

Hasim Kilic: “It is decided not to ban the party. The court decided to impose partial financial penalties. The party will not be banned, but everybody should evaluate the decision very carefully. The decision should be accepted as a very strong warning for AKP. Six court members voted 'yes,' four people voted for 'imposing financial penalties,' and one person voted for rejection of the case.”

Supporters of the AK Party accused the military and the court of trying to stage a judicial coup.