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Ankara: Turkey's top court began deliberations on Monday on whether to ban the ruling AK Party on charges of seeking to introduce Islamic rule in the officially secular state.
The case comes as police prepared to watch surveillance camera images of twin blasts that killed at least 15 people in Istanbul late on Sunday.
The court could dismiss the case, impose a fine, or ban the party and some of its leaders. In order to close the party, seven of the 11 judges must vote in favour of such a move.
Turkey's politicians, the European Union and foreign investors are anxiously awaiting a verdict in the case which has drawn Turkey into a period of political uncertainty.
Closure of the party would almost certainly lead to an early election, possibly in November, and deal a further blow to Turkey's hopes of joining the European Union.
It has also deepened divisions between the Islamist-rooted government and military, judicial and academic officials who regard themselves as custodians of Turkey's secular system.
In an interview with Hurriyet newspaper on Sunday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected suggestions that he would adopt a more dictatorial style if the AK Party survives closure.
"God willing there will be a beneficial verdict for our country. What I can say is that it is impossible for me to ever behave with hate or enmity towards my people," Erdogan said.
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