Ruling Turkish party saved by reforms

ANKARA, Turkey, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- The Turkish Constitutional Court says Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party wasn't banned from the court due to implemented EU reforms.

The court said while Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was criticized for an allegedly anti-secular comment regarding headscarves, his ruling political party acted correctly by increasing women's rights and embracing EU reforms, Hurriyet said Friday.

"So what if it is a political symbol," Erdogan said regarding traditional headscarves.

The prime minister's comment came as the Constitutional Court rejected a law passed by parliament that allowed the Islamic headscarves to be worn at Turkish universities.

The court said while Erdogan and his fellow ruling party officials had been responsible for actions that could be deemed anti-democratic, none of the actions involved violence.