DHAKA: Turkey’s president Abdullah Gul on Wednesday signed into law a contested bill tightening the government’s grip on the judiciary as it grapples to contain the fallout from a major corruption probe.

The new law, which sparked fistfights among lawmakers debating it in parliament, will give the justice ministry greater control over the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK), an independent body responsible for appointing members of the judiciary.

The legislation has been strongly condemned by the opposition and by rights groups, raising questions abroad about the state of democracy in Turkey.

Gul last week shrugged off calls to reject the bill, saying it was not his place to challenge legislation, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1916 HRS, FEB 26, 2014