Turkish court partially suspends new alcohol restrictions

Turkey’s top administrative court partially suspended restrictions Wednesday on alcohol sales that were introduced in January to a strong public reaction, halting two provisions in the regulation.

The ruling party tabled one of the most disputed articles in the law, one which had banned alcohol sales at events and activities "for children and young people," dealing a blow to festival and concert organizers and attendees.

The regulation had come under particular fire for defining "young people" as those up to 24 years of age, a provision the court said contradicted existing laws that set 18 as the minimum legal age for buying and consuming alcohol.

The Council of State made its decision as it continued to examine a petition by the Ankara Bar Association seeking the annulment of the entire bill. It also suspended a second provision of the law that had prohibited shops from selling liquor in small bottles, which regulators argued made alcohol easier to access for young people.

The regulation was passed in January by the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, with the aim of protecting young people from alcoholism. Its adoption triggered protests saying that the party was targeting liberal lifestyles.

The law also affects adults attending celebratory events with a provision that bans authorized sellers, such as catering companies, from taking liquor outside their premises.


/Trend/