Turkish president approves laws on paid military service and match-fixing penalties

ANKARA (A.A) - December 14, 2011 - Turkish President Abdullah Gul approved laws on paid military service and match-fixing penalties on Wednesday. Under the law on paid military service; Turkish nationals 30 years of age or older will be able to fulfil military service by paying 30,000 Turkish lira and they will also be exempt from 21-day basic military service. (one USD equals 1.882 TL) The law says; Turkish nationals, who work at least three years in foreign countries, will also be able to benefit from paid military service for 10,000 euro, and they will be exempt from 21-day basic military service. There will also be no age limit for those Turkish citizens who work at least three years in foreign countries, which was earlier 38 years of age.  Gul also approved the law which brings down penalties in cases of match-fixing. The law gives shorter prison terms for individuals convicted of match-fixing, reducing the jail term from maximum 12 years to three years.