No arrest warrant for Turkish PM’s son, justice minister says
There is no arrest warrant for the PM’s son, Bilal Erdoğan, Justice Minister Bozdağ said
Turkey: Prosecutors in Corruption Inquiry Reassigned
Turkish officials on Thursday reassigned 20 prosecutors working on a corruption inquiry that has targeted the inner circle of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
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The BDP’s difficult choices over Dec 17 At last, the Kurdish movement had found an interlocutor who gave hope of a political solution and peace. |
Council of Europe concerned over government’s ‘hasty’ judicial bill
‘I am seriously concerned by the speed which these proposals are making their way to the Parliament,’ the CoE’s commissioner for human rights, Nils Muiznieks, told Hürriyet in an interview
5 Key Prosecutors Are Sent Into ‘Exile’
Twenty prosecutors are appointed to different posts today. They are now effectively neutralized at inferior posts, tantamount to a professional exile.
Here are five key names in the list:
Political crisis and the question of rule of law in Turkey
Turkey’s rule of law is under severe strain and its judiciary is no longer independent. Halil Gurhanli explores why fears of a return to military command should not be underestimated amid corruption, escalating authoritarianism and embittered rivalry between the ruling AKP party and the Hizmet Movement
Major reshuffle in Turkish judiciary amid graft probe row
Turkey’s Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) reassigned 20 prosecutors in critical positions, including the Chief Prosecutor of Istanbul
Turkey faces coup attempts whenever it takes significant steps, interior minister says
Turkey faces coup d’état attempts whenever it makes economic progress and takes steps to resolve its major problems such as terror, Ala told ambassadors
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Ruling AKP moves to expel deputy known for close ties with Gülen movement The AKP has moved to expel yet another of its lawmakers, sending Istanbul deputy Muhammed Çetin to its disciplinary board for dissenting behaviour |
If the police does what the prosecutor orders, it is replaced. If not, they are ok. So an operation against corrupt officials in Beyoğlu, İstanbul cannot proceed because government does not allow. Because government believes all the corruption case is an attack to its sovereignty. Police chiefs do not want to be replaced. So they do not implement prosecutors’ orders. News in Turkish.
Beyoğlu Night (Photo credit: Emre Otlu (Street Photography))
Turkey’s main opposition rejects gov’t offer on judicial bill
CHP has rejected a government offer a controversial bill reshaping a key judicial body
PM Erdoğan tasks ambassadors with fighting against ‘treacherous plot’
PM Erdoğan has tasked Turkish ambassadors with ‘telling the truth’ about a ‘treacherous’ corruption probe in their host countries
Top business group head warns that Turkey may slip into ‘police state’
Turkey’s top business group has issued a staunch warning to the government on respecting the rule of law in its move to reform the judiciary
Erdogan declares war on Gulen’s ’empire of fear’
Turkey’s embattled Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared open war Wednesday on what he labelled an “empire of fear” created by an Islamic rival at the heart of a deepening political crisis
Turkish police capture senior al-Qaeda figures in major operation
Two senior al-Qaeda members have been captured during simultaneous operations in six provinces
Turkish president signals veto on government-led judicial bill
President Gül wades deeper into the judiciary row, suggesting he could veto a contentious bill if the government does not alter its draft
Turkish intelligence denies claims over Paris killings but launches internal probe
MİT has denied any involvement in the killings of three Kurdish women in Paris last year
Investigation deepens into death of child bride in southeastern Turkey
An investigation into the death of a 14-year-old mother in the southeastern province of Siirt has been intensified
Father of child bride victim voices doubts on her circumstances of death
The case widens as the Family Ministry applies to become a party in the legal proceedings
False intelligence reports responsible of Uludere massacre: Report
The Uludere/Roboski massacre, in which 34 people were killed by an airstrike, was allegedly caused by false intelligence information, daily Taraf claimed
No single policemen have been convicted of assault towards journalists during Turkey’s Gezi Resistance. While 59 journalists and 23 publishers entered 2014 behind bars, 13 defendants including 4 journalists have been convicted of “terrorism” charges according to Turkish Penal Code and Anti-Terror Act with 2 life sentences and a total of 1,609 years and 4 months of prison.
Turkey: With Mainstream Media Muzzled, Alternative Outlets Plug Gaps
After working as a respected journalist for 25 years in numerous capacities, including a stint as a columnist at one of Turkey’s largest newspapers, Serdar Akinan found himself in early 2013 at a career crossroads: would he continue working in the mainstream Turkish media or open up a pizza place?
Turkish human rights activist Zarakolu to live in Sweden for 2 years
PanARMENIAN.Net
Zarakolu’s son, Deniz Zarakolu, who is an editor at Belge Publishing House and a Ph.D. student at Bilgi University, was arrested weeks earlier, on Oct 7. On March 19, 2012, Zarakolu was formally indicted under the charge of “aiding and abetting an
English: Štefan Füle (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Judicial bill should conform to EU political criteria, Füle tells Çavuşoğlu
Stefan Füle has expressed the EU’s expectations that the new judicial bill prepared should be consistent with the EU legislation
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The EU and Turkey’s Asylum Policy in Light of the Syrian Crisis
GTE Policy Brief (Istituto Affari Internazionali) No. 10, 15 January 2014 by Juliette Tolay * In the past, Turkey’s asylum policy was considered as highly deficient, in comparison with the higher standards of the EU. Recently, this perception has been changing, with Turkey’s newly adopted law on foreigners, which contrasts with the EU’s slow-paced moves
Erdoğan’s visit to Brussels: an exercise for damage control
For those who believe that Turkey needs to remain anchored to the European Union, the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Brussels was seen as a step
Turkey’s SCO courting largely aimed at sending messages to Europe
Global Times (China) 15 January 2014, p. 15 By Sun Zhuangzhi * There are lots of discussions around Turkey’s possible membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). In late November when Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Russia, he openly expressed the country’s desire to join the SCO. It came at a time when
Russia denies ‘hidden agenda’ as it hosts Iran, Syria FMs
Russia denied having a “hidden agenda” on Syria as it launched a fresh round of crisis diplomacy by hosting the top diplomats of Iran and Damascus
US, EU step up pressure on Turkey over judicial independence
Turkey’s new EU Minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, was in Strasbourg on Tuesday for his first encounter with Stefan Füle, the EU commissioner responsible for enlargement.
NATO says Turkey no longer balks at missile shield helping Israel
Turkey has accepted assurances a planned NATO missile defense system in which it is playing a part is not designed to protect Israel as well, Alexander Vershbow said
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Venice Commission head warns Turkey about ‘hasty’ judicial bill The head of the Venice Commission has expressed a staunch warning to Turkey Jan. 14 on refraining from hasty judicial reforms that would endanger the independence of the judiciary |
Turkish President Gül urges gov’t to re-calibrate Syria policy
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Turkey should review its Syrian diplomacy and security policies in the face of realities, Gül said
The Perception of Turkey in the Middle East 2013
The Foreign Policy Programme (TESEV) January 15, 2014 العربية Türkçe Sabiha Senyücel Gündoğar & Mensur Akgün The report entails the findings of the fifth annual survey conducted by TESEV Foreign Policy Programme in collaboration with KA Research between August 15- September 13, 2013. As in previous years, the public opinion survey reveals interesting insights into
Turkish police detain at least 23 in anti-al-Qaeda op, raid on İHH office
Police have detained at least 23 people in an operation into al-Qaeda held simultaneously in six cities
Turkish police raid aid agency’s offices in ‘crackdown on al-Qaida’
One person held in raid on Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) in Kilis, bordering Syria, amid police operations in six cities
Turkish anti-terrorist police have raided the offices of an aid agency on the border with Syria as part of what local media said was an operation in six cities against individuals suspected of links to al-Qaida.
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Turkish PM to show ‘no mercy’ to ‘group’ behind graft probe PM Erdoğan vowed no mercy for what he called ‘the illegal gang within the state’ |
There is no coup, there is corruption: Turkey’s main opposition leader
The government is trying to cover up corruption by describing the recent graft probe as a coup attempt, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said
Gülen-linked journalist association warns that movement’s support for gov’t can end
A journalist association affiliated with the movement of the Islamic Scholar Gülen has warned the government that the movement could withdraw its support
Graft prosecutor Öz files formal complaint against PM Erdoğan after ‘threat’ claims
Zekeriya Öz filed a formal complaint against PM Erdoğan, less than a week after he claimed he had been threatened by two judges sent by the PM himself
Turkish Lira hits another record low on current account gap data
The wide-ranging corruption probe in Turkey is continuing to rattle the lira despite a short recovery in the beginning of the week
Turkey’s 2014 Political Transition – From Erdogan to Erdogan?
Policy Notes, No. 17, January 2014 Türkçe The Washington Institute for Near East Policy Soner Cagaptay & James F. Jeffrey * In 2014, Turkey will hold two key nationwide elections: one on March 30 for local government and city officials and a second one for president, to conclude by August 28
Erdoğan’s Self-Inflicted Crisis
The battle between Turkey’s Erdoğan government and its erstwhile ally, the Gülen movement, has escalated to the point where it is hard to imagine a reconciliation. Though the fight is exposing the corruption on which Erdoğan’s regime was based, Turkish democracy will be the loser – at least in the short term – regardless of who wins
Erdoğan’s Naked Theatre of Democracy
The London Economic
The epic corruption scandal currently gripping Turkey, not to mention international headlines, is nothing less than the collapse of the entire set on a theatre stage. With that elaborately painted background suddenly gone, so too goes the context for
Commissioner Füle to meet with Turkish EU minister over judiciary bill
The EU’s Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle is to meet with Turkish EU Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu
Police raid Turkish NGO office near Syrian border
Police have conducted a raid on the Kilis branch of the Humanitarian Relief Foundation (İHH)
US, Russia call for ‘local ceasefires’ ahead of Syria talks
Moscow and Washington made a joint call for Syria’s regime and rebels to agree to ceasefires in parts of the battle-scarred country ahead of crucial talks
Turkey Inside-Out: Old Realities, New Risks, and Strategic Implications
German Marshall Fund of the United States, January 13, 2014 Ian Lesser * Turkey’s burgeoning corruption scandal and the deepening political and legal crises facing the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government seem strong evidence of something new on the Turkish scene. There is now a real risk that internal factors will jeopardize Turkey’s
Tunisia’s Ennahda movement, maybe learning from Egypt and Turkey, compromises to remain relevant
Once again, the people have a chance to prove that the Arab Spring was not a fluke, that non-violence is the only constructive path for social change, that Islam is compatible with representative governance, and that authoritarianism is not the only guarantor of security and stability.
EU must open doors to avoid Syrian refugee catastrophe, says UN
Colin Firth, Michael Palin and Grayson Perry condemn lack of British action over what David Milliband calls ‘the defining humanitarian crisis of our time’
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No active diplomacy possible without strong democracy, FM Davutoğlu says A strong democracy is a must in pursuing an active diplomacy, Davutoğlu said at the envoys’ conference as the ruling AKP is giving its own test of democracy amid a graft scandal |
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Brussels asks Turkey to be consulted to ensure judicial bill in line with EU legislation The EU has made a formal request to Ankara asking to be consulted on the controversial judicial bill on the Parliament’s agenda for ensuring that it is in line with EU legislation |
Kerry and Lavrov discuss Syria peace talks
Top US diplomat John Kerry meets his Russian counterpart Monday after trying to entice Syrian rebels into Geneva peace talks by vowing to exclude the Moscow-backed Damascus regime from any future transition government.
Interactive: Moving Syria’s chemical weapons
Follow the transportation of Syria’s stockpile as the arms are carried across land and sea to be destroyed.
Baghdad summons Turkish diplomat, Maliki warns Ankara over Kurdish oil
Baghdad summoned Turkey’s chargé d’affaires over moves by Iraq’s Kurdish region to sell oil independently via Ceyhan
Envoys gather in Ankara on theme of ‘strong democracy, dynamic economy’
The Turkish Foreign Ministry is gathering together the country’s far-flung ambassadors for a review of the nation’s foreign policy
Syrian refugees no longer know who is fighting let alone who is winning
As opposition factions battle to oust al-Qaida jihadists the refugees at Bab al-Hawa border crossing recount the chaos
Lugging three plastic sacks full of clothes, Abu Mohammed and his three daughters pulled back the wrought iron border crossing gate, stepped through it into Turkey and smiled.
Legal experts point toward high court to solve judicial impasse
Prominent legal experts and academics are not very hopeful about to amend the structure of the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK)
Turkey faces political, social and economic upheavals
Turkey was supposed to be a model for Egypt after the events of the Arab Spring. Looking at developments in Turkey in the light of the corruption scandal that has shaken the government
Will Turkish corruption scandal lead to return of military to politics?Al-Monitor
After Hasan Cemal came Murat Belge, one of leading intellectuals of the country, who warned that the political tension and strife in the country could
Main opposition CHP conditional on ruling AKP’s proposal for charter amendment on justice
CHP has positively responded the ruling party’s proposal for a constitutional amendment bu requested measures that would enhance the judiciary’s independence
A few hours ago two ISPs, Turknet and Uydunet announced blockage. Not other ISPs yet apply the court rule.
A few days ago Vimeo was blocked first, then unblocked. But particular videos could be blocked in Vimeo and other video sharing sites. Government’s excuse is to block sex videos of government officials but as one might guess, it will go beyond that for sure.
We suspect that they are testing DPI powered blockages partially and there is no homogeneous blockage for the moment.
Very probably government excuse will be like this “you see, we have to block all the site in order to prevent a video to be seen, with the new law, we will ban only particular videos” WHICH means most of the opposition figures’ social media accounts will be blocked…
I believe with all circumvention tools, we will bypass these restrictions, but why should we deal with the censorship at all?
In a day, the new Internet law may be accepted in the Parliament. Then 18 January Internet Freedom marches all over Turkey will become even more vital…
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Turkey Debates New Law to Control Web Users
Wall Street Journal (blog)
People can see that these articles are a response to Gezi protests and the current corruption investigations,” says Yaman Akdeniz, law professor in Istanbul’s Bilgi University, an active critic of internet restrictions in Turkey
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Turkey’s top business group warns against Internet censorship TÜSİAD said a government-led bill to increase the control over the Internet is ‘worrying’ |
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Turkish President Gül invites opposition leaders for meeting amid political crisis The invitation comes amid an ongoing political crisis fueled by a bill on the judiciary |
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In Scandal, Turkey’s Leaders May Be Losing Their Tight Grip on News Media The New York Times (USA) Sunday, January 12, 2014, p. A 11 By Tim Arango Istanbul — Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has labeled an investigative reporter who has published a number of leaked documents related to a widening corruption scandal a traitor. Mr. Erdogan’s lawyers have also filed suit against a newspaper columnist, once |
Justice minister admits failure to react against ‘coup plot’ cases
Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ admitted the government ‘made a mistake’ as it failed to give a reaction during the prosecutions of the coup plot cases
Graft accusations aim to thwart Istanbul’s third airport and bridge plans: AKP spokesman
Hüseyin Çelik noted that ‘all those who have been implicated or targeted with asset injunctions’ are among the team that will build the two mega-projects
Turkey will push ahead with judicial reforms, says Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Turkish prime minister denies that the reforms, which prompted a fist-fight in parliament, trample on the country’s constitution
Turkey’s prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has promised to push ahead with judicial reforms that prompted a fist fight in parliament.
Turkey clamps down on internet as Erdogan tightens grip on power
Financial Times
… the free flow of information on the internet even further in Turkey,” said Yaman Akdeniz, a law professor at Istanbul’s Bilgi University. “Looking at the current political climate, it is primarily for controlling the leaking of videos and WikiLeaks .
Turkish PM slams opposition, head of judges association over session marred by brawl
PM Erdoğan has criticized the presence of outsiders at commissions in reference to a judge who was the recipient of a flying kick from an AKP MP
Turkish government move on judiciary stirs fight in Parliament
AKP MP Zeyid Aslan enters like a dragon, delivering kicks and punches as a parliamentary commission hearing on controversial changes to the judiciary descends into chaos marred by fisticuffs and a loss of dignity
Jailed PKK leader vows not to ‘add fuel to the fire’
The jailed PKK leader makes clear his stance on the rift between the Turkish government and Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen community, by describing the graft probe as a ‘coup’ attempt targeting the government
Erdoğan’s system signals implosion
On Jan. 10, when Turkey’s AKP gov’t submitted a draft to Parliament to take more control over the HSYK, the acting chairman of the board issued a very strong, 66 page-long statement against the move
How Turkey’s conservatives failed
The political war going on in Turkey these days is full of incredible details and drama. However, it only underlines a simple truth:
Two Bills That Could Mark The End of Turkey As We Know It
International Islamic University Malaysia awards Erdogan with an honorary doctorate in Philosophy of Management.
Conflict between Gülen Movement and Turkey’s ruling AKP reflected in business world
The maelstrom in Turkish politics that erupted after a high-level graft probe has also laid bare the differences among the country’s leading business organizations
Turkey’s top judicial board decides to examine Ergenekon coup plot case
Hurriyet Daily News
The HSYK will examine the Ergenekon trial, considered the most important legal battle in recent Turkish history, which resulted in several life sentences for allegedly trying to topple the government. The decision came after an application from the …
Top judicial board decides to examine Turkish coup plot case
The many crises of Erdogan: have we come to an end-game ?
This piece is an attempt to revisit some of the key crises afflicting the AKP and its leader, and in light of this analysis, investigate some claims that foretell the AKP’s doom.
Erkan's Field Diary 