Advocacy group says court ruling confirms president Erdogan's mega-palace is illegal
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
A pressure group says Turkey's top administrative court has confirmed in a ruling that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's 1,150-room mega-palace was illegally constructed on protected land.
Erdogan moved into the palace last year, brushing aside protests by opposition parties and advocacy groups who say the $620 million complex is unlawful.
The Ankara Chamber of Architects, which filed several cases against the palace, said Tuesday the Council of State has overturned a decision that allowed the construction of public buildings on some preserved sites. It says the ruling confirms the palace is illegal.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Court officials could not be reached and it was not clear what impact the ruling would have. Erdogan has dismissed previous court rulings saying: "Let them knock it down if they have the power."