Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Wednesday approved a controversial law amendment that allows trial of military personnel in civilian courts rather than military courts in peacetime, Xinhua reported.
The bill, which also prevents civilians charged with crimes associated with military affairs from being tried in military courts, was in line with the jurisdiction of military courts regarding the trial of civilian and military personnel, said the president's office in a statement.
However, the government should make new legal changes to the amendment to ease possible concerns regarding legal assurances during military service, said the statement.
The Turkish parliament passed the bill in late June. The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) had promised to take the bill to the Constitutional Court if Gul approves it.
Before Wednesday's approval by the president, the Turkish government had sent the president a report to defend the bill, saying it was not against the constitution and was important for the country on its way towards the European Union (EU).
Turkey has been seeking EU full membership since becoming a candidate country in 1999, but the 27-nation bloc has urged the Islamic country to further the reform of its constitution and judicial systems, curb the power of the army and promote democracy.