TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 90/13 15/05/13
C O N T E N T S
1. American Congressmen send a letter to UNSG on
Cyprus
2. Erdogan:
“We’ll search for oil with Exxon in North Iraq”
3.
Reyhanli’s district governor’s pictures with members of Al Qaida raise
questions
4.
Turkish Cypriot organizations: AKP government is the main responsible for the
violence in Reyhanli
5.
Kucuk: confidence building measures could delay the negotiating process
6.
Political parties and trade unions in the occupied area of Cyprus criticized
Kucuk’s visit to the USA
7. The
submission of a “motion of censure” against UBP “government” is discussed
8.
Turkish Commander of Turkish Land Forces held illegal contacts in the occupied
area of Cyprus; He met with Eroglu, Ozgurgun and Bozer
9. A US think tank report makes recommendations to Turkey
on the issue of the press freedom and freedom of expression; 49 journalist were
imprisoned in Turkey in 2012
10.
Greek Cypriot patients seek medical treatment at hospital in the occupied area
of the Republic of Cyprus
11.
Music festival in occupied Karpassia will change location
12.
Turkey’s Supreme Court of Appeals announced its ruling on Dink’s murder
1. American Congressmen send a
letter to UNSG on Cyprus
Illegal Turkish
Cypriot Bayrak television (15.05.13) broadcasts that Ahmet Erdengiz, so-called
representative of the “TRNC” [Translator’s note: breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] in Washington, has assessed
self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk’s contacts in the USA and said that
during Kucuk’s contacts at the US Congress, he was given a copy of a letter
prepared to be sent to the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon and signed by 22
members of the US Congress.
According to
Erdengiz, the letter says that the inter-communal negotiations are so urgent
that they cannot wait for the solution of the economic crisis experienced in
the Greek Cypriot side, as he described the government-controlled area of
Cyprus. He said that the letter asks for the commencement of the negotiations
the soonest. The letter also notes that the solution of the Cyprus problem will
facilitate the solution of the economic crisis and says that all the actors concerned
with the issue, and mainly the EU, should encourage the two “peoples”.
Illegal Bayrak
broadcasts that during his contacts at the US Congress, Kucuk met separately
with Congressmen Hank Johnson, Ed Whitfield, Howard Coble and Mark Meadows.
Kucuk asked their help on the issue of “making the voice of the Turkish
Cypriots heard at the American Congress”.
Before departing for
New York, Kucuk attended a working dinner hosted by the Turkish American
Assembly in Washington and made a speech referring to the Cyprus problem. He
argued that the states and the institutions which are closely concerned with
the solution of the Cyprus problem should allegedly convince the Greek Cypriot
side to sit at the negotiating table without delay and start negotiating.
“As prime minister of
the TRNC, I once more extend a hand of peace to the Greek Cypriot side from
this platform”, Kucuk claimed, adding that we can unite Cyprus under a federal
roof within the UN parameters accepted by the sides and contribute to peace in
Eastern Mediterranean, which “is currently experiencing big quakes”.
Kucuk called on the
government of the Republic of Cyprus to end what he described as “unilateral
initiatives for hydrocarbon resources” and alleged that these explorations
should be carried out after the solution.
Asked what he
expected from the meeting between President Obama and Turkish Prime Minister
Erdogan, he replied that he expected agreement that the USA will play a more
active role on the issue of the Greek Cypriot side returning to the negotiating
table and starting the talks.
(I/Ts.)
2. Erdogan: “We’ll search for oil with Exxon in North
Iraq”
Under the above title, Turkish daily Sabah
(15.05.13) reports that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, prior his
departure to the United States for an official visit, told reporters at
Esenboga airport, that their oil company have already an agreement with local
administration in North Iraq to search for oil with US Exxon Mobil company and
during his trip in the US, they will take the agreement one step further.
On the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet
Daily News (online, 15.05.13) reports also that Erdogan also said: “Our oil
company already has an agreement with Exxon Mobil in place ... This is a step
with the KRG on exploration work.”
Until now, resource-hungry Turkey has been a
customer and a transportation outlet for oil exports from the Kurdish region.
With this agreement, the Turks would play an active role in exploiting Iraqi
Kurdistan's rich hydrocarbon resources.
Turkish industry sources said the likely
partner is Turkish Petroleum International Company (TPIC), an arm of state-run
Turkish Petroleum (TPAO). A spokesman for the company could not immediately be
reached for comment.
“We will develop our steps after this visit,”
Erdogan said, referring to the plans for northern Iraq, without specifying what
the agreement would involve.
The Turkish company will take equity stakes
in a partnership with Exxon and KRG and would become part of the
production-sharing agreement, an Ankara-based energy source said.
Another energy official in Ankara said any
contracts would be in the form of commercial agreements signed between
companies, not an agreement between governments.
During his U.S. visit, Erdogan will seek
Obama's support for further energy deals that Turkish companies are hoping to
strike in northern Iraq.
Furthermore, Turkish daily Milliyet
(15.05.13) reports that the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
envisaged to be signed between the US and the EU is expected to be discussed
during the US visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The paper reports that the issue is how and
when Turkey will be included to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment
Partnership, which will be signed between US and the EU.
According to the paper, the issue is as
follow: there are the joint regulations of Customs Union Agreement, where
Turkey is also a member. However, Turkey cannot contribute to these
regulations. When the EU does a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with third countries,
then Turkey is obligated to open automatically his markets to these
countries.
On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news
agency (15.05.13) reports that Erdogan will bring the FTA issue to the agenda
among other political topics in Washington. The negotiations of the agreement
which are to begin in June will result in the biggest free trade zone in the
world.
Within scope of the Customs Union Agreement,
it is feared that Turkey would face the risk of 2.5% shrinkage in growth and
not being able to compete with the cheap EU products unless Turkey and the US
sign another agreement for trade. According to the Customs Union Agreement, for
a product produced in Turkey and in free circulation between Turkey and the EU
to enter a third country free of tax, Turkey needs to sign a separate agreement
with this country.
Nonetheless, once products of third countries
that have a free trade agreement (FTA) with the EU but not with Turkey are
imported to the EU, they can enter Turkey free of tax. This situation emerges
as an important factor discouraging such countries to sign a free trade
agreement with Turkey when they can do so via the EU. Moreover, Turkey is not
consulted in the process of determining countries to sign free trade agreement
with.
US Secretary of State John Kerry in March
stated that economic cooperation couldn't take place without Turkey and added,
"Turkey needs to have a strong position in this structure."
3. Reyhanli’s district
governor’s pictures with members of Al Qaida raise questions
Turkish Cypriot daily
Afrika newspaper (15.05.13) reports that pictures of Reyhanli’s district
governor, Yusuf Guler together with members of Al Qaida terrorist organization,
have come to light. Publishing two pictures on its front page, Afrika writes
that Al Qaida members of Libyan origin are clearly seen in their armed teams in
the one picture and with Guler in the second picture. According to the paper,
the issue of the discussion between the governor and the terrorists and the aim
of their visit continues to be a “mystery”.
“While the [AKP]
government has insistently accused Syria of the bombed attack held in Reyhanli
two days ago and caused the death of 50 people and the injury of more than 100,
it has exerted the maximum effort for keeping Al Qaida and the Free Syrian
Army, which is included in it, outside of the attack”, reports the paper adding
that the Turkish Minister of Internal Affairs Muammer Guler stated that the
number of the persons arrested for the attack increased to 17 yesterday
morning.
“Is not necessary,
however, for both the government officials and Reyhanli district governor,
Yusuf Guler to issue a statement regarding these photographs”, wonders
Afrika.
(I/Ts.)
Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (15.05.13)
reports that Bakara Cultural Centre and Pir Sultan Abdal Association have
expressed the view that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government is
the main responsible for the recent violence in Turkey’s city of Reyhanli.
In a statement they read out yesterday in front of the
so-called embassy of Turkey to the occupied part of Lefkosia, the organizations
said that even if the perpetrators of the bombed attacks are unknown, those who
caused the attack are very well known. “Responsible for this attack is
imperialism, which wants war in the Middle East and the AKP government, which
is its active subcontractor”, they argued.
“Just like the bombing of Bayraktar Mosque by the hand
of Turkish Cypriot leadership had instigated the enmity of the two peoples,
there is a wish for turning the attack in Reyhanli into a pretext for a new
operation”, the statement said, adding that “the imperialists and their
subcontractors are nourished with blood both in Cyprus and in Syria, and
strengthen their position with war”. [Translator’s
note: A mosque on Lefkosia’s ancient walls bombed in the 1960’s upon
instructions by the then Turkish Cypriot leadership, as it has been admitted
afterwards]
(I/Ts.)
5. Kucuk: confidence building measures could delay
the negotiating process
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (15.05.13)
reports that Irsen Kucuk, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, addressed yesterday in Washington
a meeting at the Washington Institute and the Turkish American Assembly, within
the framework of his visit to the USA.
Kucuk
said that the negotiations for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem should
start without delay and expressed the view that the natural gas resources in
the southern part of the island and the water to be transferred to the occupied
northern part of Cyprus from Turkey “constitute a new opportunity and beginning
for peace and lasting solution on the island”.
Speaking during a
round table meeting at the Washington Institute, Kucuk argued that 2013 should
be the year of the solution in Cyprus.
In statements to the
press after this meeting, Kucuk said that it was absolutely necessary for the
negotiations to start for bringing peace not only to the island but to the
entire Eastern Mediterranean.
Referring to the
economic crisis in the government-controlled area of Cyprus, Kucuk alleged that
the economic problems of the Greek Cypriots are the bitter proof of how necessary
the cooperation between the two sides is.
Pointing out to what
he called as increasing power of Turkey in the area, Kucuk called on President
Anastasiades to re-examine the approach of “starting the negotiations after the
solution of the economic problems” and added that the solution [of the Cyprus
problem] will have significant benefits for overcoming the economic
problems.
Kucuk alleged that
seeing a way out from economic crisis in what he called as “unilateral
mortgaging by the Greek Cypriot administration of the natural resources which
exist around the island” could cause new problems. He claimed that the Greek
Cypriots gave no positive reply to so-called proposals made twice by the
Turkish Cypriot side. Kucuk alleged that without Turkey it would be very
difficult and a possibility without added value for the Greek Cypriots to
market the hydrocarbon reserves to Europe. He argued that the way of using the
existing pipelines in Turkey to market these reserves, on which “all peoples in
Cyprus have equal right”, passes through the solution [of the Cyprus problem].
He claimed also that the water to be transferred from Turkey to the occupied
part of Cyprus is an important development for the Greek Cypriots as well.
Kucuk said that when
the negotiations begin, the governance issues should be discussed “in order for
establishing a new partnership based on the political equality of the two
states”. Kucuk argued that the issues of property, the guarantees and the
territory will cause great difficulties to the sides. Referring to the exchange
of property, Kucuk alleged: “In parallel to being an appropriate method for the
principle of bi-zonality, the exchange [of property] could secure the
overcoming of the cost problem because it does not require compensation”.
Kucuk reiterated the
Turkish view that the continuation of Turkey’s guarantees is a sine qua non for
them and added that the issues of guarantees and security could be solved at an
international conference with the participation of the three guarantor powers.
Such a conference, he claimed, would secure the necessary support in the
solution of matters, on which the sides have not been able to reach an
agreement.
Meanwhile, referring
to the same statements, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (15.05.13)
reports that Kucuk said the role of the international community in the solution
of what he described as “the difficult issues” is big and added that the UN
Secretary-General’s special adviser, Alexander Downer should intensify his
contacts and prepare the ground.
Kucuk claimed that
brining onto the agenda some confidence building measures before the
negotiations could not be an alternative for the negotiations and could delay
the process.
Kucuk reiterated the
Turkish view that the European Union is “far from being a neutral mediator”, as
it has allegedly “unilaterally accepted the Greek Cypriots as member”, but in
spite of this the Union should increase its initiatives to so-called motivate
the Greek Cypriots.
Kucuk completed his
contacts in Washington and last night departed for New York.
(I/Ts.)
6. Political parties and trade unions in the occupied
area of Cyprus criticized Kucuk’s visit to the USA
Under
the title: “Unnecessary and strange”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(15.05.13) reports that the three main opposition parties represented at the
so-called assembly in the occupied area of Cyprus, that is the Republican
Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG), the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) and
the Democratic Party (DP), had expressed strong criticism to the so-called
prime minister Irsen Kucuk for his visit to the USA, stating that Kucuk’s visit
to the USA, was unnecessary and strange, especially in this period, that the
“country” experiences a lot of problems.
In
statements on the issue, the chairman of CTP-BG Ozkan Yorgancioglu, criticized
Kucuk for visiting the USA, stating that Kucuk’s visit is not a step towards
the foreign affairs policy, since no “official” from “foreign affairs” issues
is included in his delegation.
Yorgancioglu
described Kucuk’s visit as a “trick” and said that what is necessary for the
solution of the Cyprus problem is to take actions and not make statements.
Criticizing
Kucuk for not including to his accompanied delegation to the USA any of the
“special representatives” who participate to the negotiation process or any
“official” from the so-called foreign ministry, Yorgancioglu said that this is
a result of the distance existed between Eroglu and Kucuk.
On
the same issue, the chairman of TDP, Mehmet Cakici stated that Kucuk’s visit to
the USA was unnecessary. “In a period into which his party is splitting up and
the government experiences a crisis, going abroad is unnecessary”, said Cakici.
Referring
to the meeting of Kucuk with the USA Assistant Secretary of State, Cakici
pointed out that the one he was met was not the Secretary of State.
Also
speaking on the issue, Serdar Denktas, chairman of the DP said that he found it
strange for the so-called prime minister to visit the USA especially with a
crowded delegation, adding that he should be aware of the fact that according
to the protocol, only the “president” can carry out that kind of visits.
Serdar
Denktas accused also Kucuk for not including into his delegation an “official”
from the so-called foreign ministry and stated that Kucuk’s visit to the USA,
is a gesture from the Turkish government which invited Kucuk to go to the USA.
Serdar
Denktas called also Kucuk who allegedly went to the USA to sent the message “we
are ready for the solution”, to explain to the Turkish Cypriots as soon as he
will return back to the occupation regime how are they ready for the solution.
“That means that he knows something, and it is his duty to make a statement on
this”, Serdar Denktas added.
A
statement about Kucuk’s trip to the USA was also made by Senel Elcil, general
secretary of KTOS trade Union.
In a
written statement, Sener Elcil accused the so-called government for going to
the USA for a tourist travelling after the instructions it received from the
AKP, in order to participate to the Turkish day parade.
Elcil
reacted also against Kucuk and his accompanied delegation visit to the USA,
saying that the cost of 500.000 TL of the trip could be given by the
“government” to education organizations in the occupied are of Cyprus, instead
of going to the USA for participating to a parade, as he said.
AK
7. The submission of a “motion
of censure” against UBP “government” is discussed
Turkish Cypriot daily
Afrika newspaper (15.05.13) reports that Ozkan Yorgancioglu, chairman of the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has said that in case a “motion of censure”
against the National Unity Party (UBP) self-styled government is submitted at
the “assembly”, his party will vote in favor of this motion. In statements
yesterday to Ada TV, Yorgancioglu was asked to say what their stance would be
in cease of a “motion of census” was submitted. He replied that every minute during
which the UBP remains in “power” is harmful and added that the economy of the
regime is not going well in spite of statements made by Turkish officials, who
argue the opposite. He noted that CTP expects this “motion” to be submitted by
the group of the “deputies” of the UBP, who oppose to Irsen Kucuk. “This will
be more meaningful”, he said.
Referring to the same
issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (15.05.13) reports that
Mehmet Cakici, chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), said that they
very seriously evaluate the situation within the UBP and added that they plan
to submit a “motion of census” in the next few days, depending on the stance of
the opponents of Kucuk within the UBP.
According to the
paper, Serdar Denktas, leader of the Democratic Party (DP), said that if those
who disagree with Kucuk do not trust the “government”, they should submit the
census and his party will support them.
Ahmet Kasif, who was
the opponent of Kucuk for the presidency of UBP during the party’s recent
congress, said that the issue of a “motion of census” was not on their agenda
for now and added that if the division within the UBP continues, it will not be
possible for them to remain “insensitive”. He noted that in case the opposition
parties submit a “motion of census”, he will evaluate the situation with his
colleagues.
(I/Ts.)
8. Turkish Commander of Turkish Land Forces held
illegal contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus; He met with Eroglu, Ozgurgun
and Bozer
According
to illegal Bayrak television (14.05.13) the commander of the Turkish Land
Forces General Hayri Kıvrıkoglu is having contacts in the “TRNC” for routine
inspections at military units.
Kivrikoglu
met with several “TRNC state and government officials” today (yesterday).
Kıvrıkoglu
was first met with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and he was accompanied
by the “commander” of the “Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces”, “Lieutenant General”,
İsmail Serdar Savas.
Speaking
during the meeting, Eroglu alleged that the Turkish Cypriots were able to get
through hard times with the belief that the Turkish Army would one day extend
its helping hand.
Referring
to the Cyprus negotiations process, Eroglu said: “We believe that Turkey will
never allow for the Turkish Cypriot people’s rights to be lost at the
negotiating table as long as the Turkish government and the Turkish Armed
Forces’ sensitivity on the Cyprus issue, continues”.
Eroglu
also noted that the Turkish Cypriot side is continuing the negotiations with
the full support by the Turkish government, Turkish Armed Forces and the
Turkish nation.
Also
speaking, General Hayri Kıvrıkoglu emphasized that the Turkish Army and the “Turkish
Cypriot Peace Forces” is the assurance of peace and security in Cyprus. “Our
soldiers and our people are inseparable, and this will continue”, General
Kıvrıkoglu stressed.
Meanwhile,
Kıvrıkoglu and his accompanying delegation visited the so-called foreign
minister Huseyin Ozgurgun.
Stating
that he had good relations with Ozgurgun during the term he served in Cyprus,
Commander Kıvrıkoglu expressed happiness over visiting Ozgurgun.
For
his part, Ozgurgun expressed his pleasure at seeing Commander Kıvrıkoglu in the
“TRNC” and reminded that he was the leader of the main opposition and had close
relations with Kıvrıkoglu during the time he served in the “TRNC”.
Stating
that the Turkish Armed Forces has great importance and meaning for the Turkish
Cypriots, he alleged that the people of Cyprus is continuing its life in peace
and prosperity, as a result of the peace brought to the island in 1974.
Touching
upon the Cyprus issue, Ozgurgun said: “We are continuing our intensive efforts
towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.”
Kivrikoglu
has then met with the “speaker” of the so-called assembly Hasan Bozer.
Speaking
during the meeting, Bozer said that the Turkish Armed Forces played a role in
the Turkish Cypriot’s struggle for existence, adding; “Thank God the TRNC state
has been established. We have reached where we are today thanks to this struggle.
It is our aim to make this state exist forever”.
Touching
upon the Cyprus problem, Bozer said that the time had come to take action on
the Cyprus issue instead of only voicing concerns. “The situation we are in
currently, is an important opportunity for the Cyprus Turkish people and this
opportunity must be taken advantage of in the best possible manner” noted Bozer
and expressed the hope that the Cyprus issue will be concluded through a
solution.
9. A US think tank report makes recommendations to
Turkey on the issue of the press freedom and freedom of expression; 49
journalist were imprisoned in Turkey in 2012
Turkish
daily Today’s Zaman (14.05.13) reported that a report by a US think tank has
said that the issues of press freedom and freedom of expression—each essential
to the preservation of democratic principles—have faced resistance in Turkey,
as the country continues to shape a “Turkish model” of democratic development.
A
comprehensive analysis released Tuesday by the Center for American Progress,
details the current state of press freedom in Turkey and provides
recommendations to expand freedom of expression in an effort to secure Turkey’s
future as a thriving democracy, the report addressed.
The
report says “among its many findings, the brief outlines how political tension
between the Turkish government, the political opposition, and Kurdish
separatists have led to censorship, arrest, threats, and outright violence
against reporters and minority voices; as of the end of 2012, Turkey had
imprisoned 49 journalists for their reporting, more than any other country in
the world.”
According
to the press release, political culture and journalism are intensely personal
in Turkey, as reporters and editors expressing dissenting or critical views
also face professional repercussions from media proprietors concerned about the
potential backlash from government officials or tax authorities.
According
to the report, freedom of the press and expression in Turkey can be protected
through judicial and constitutional reforms, and represents a critical step in
order to entrench Turkey’s status as a confident democracy.
The
report, compiled by CAP researchers Max Hoffman and Michael Werz in
collaboration with Turkey's Open Society Foundation, reveals other threats to
press freedom and freedom of expression in Turkey as follows:
Media ownership:
Through the consolidation of major media holdings, large conglomerates afraid
of jeopardizing diverse business interests yield enough power to pressure
reporters, editors, and owners to refrain from engaging in forms of political
criticism.
Subtle censorship: By
making examples of dissenting journalists and editors (through prosecution,
fines, or public criticism by the prime minister or various other officials),
journalists and editors decide not to explore sensitive issues for fear of
retribution.
Ill-defined Media Law:
Under current law, the Turkish government can prosecute and fine media outlets
and reporters based on loosely constructed offenses linked to national
security, decency standards, and libel.
Other systematic concerns: The
Turkish government is also responsible for the leasing of broadcasting
frequencies and issuance of journalist credentials, giving the state full
authority to deny opposition media.
In
conclusion, the report suggests constitutional and judicial reform to eliminate
threats to press freedom and freedom expression.
10. Greek Cypriot patients seek medical treatment at
hospital in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (15.05.13), the so-called deputy head of the
trustee committee of the illegal Near East University (YDU) Dr Irfan Gunsel,
evaluating the progress of the “YDU hospital” to the correspondent of Ankara
Anatolia news agency, said, among other things, that a number of Greek Cypriots
visit the “YDU hospital” for medical treatment.
Dr
Gunsel claimed that the 10% of around 500 patients taking care daily in the
“YDU hospital” come from the government controlled area of the Republic of
Cyprus. He added: “Greek Cypriots, who didn’t even take a bottle of water from
the Turkish Cypriots, now they trust their own life to the Turkish Cypriots.”
Most of them seek for a medical treatment for heart and cancer diseases.
11. Music festival
in occupied Karpassia will change location
Turkish Cypriot daily Cyprus Today
(15.05.13), under the title “Event to go ahead despite relocation”, reports
that the “Karpaz-based international music festival” will go ahead this year
from September 26-29, but not in the national park, in the occupied peninsula
of Karpasia.
The Silk Route Festival 2013 had originally
been slated for the protected Natura 2000 area at Golden Beach, but plans were
stalled when environmental organizations mounted protests and enlisted the
support of the EU.
The paper also reports that Turkish Cypriot
director of Silk Route Entertainments Ltd Hilmi Ekrem said that they are
looking now for a new site which is outside protected areas.
12. Turkey’s Supreme Court of Appeals announced its
ruling on Dink’s murder
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (15.05.13) reports that the Turkey’s Supreme Court of
Appeals has overturned previous rulings acquitting that the Hrant Dink murder
convicts of connections to a criminal organization, saying the murder was
committed by an armed crime gang.
In
the ruling announced today, the court approved the sentences given to suspects
but overturned the decision that acquitted them of crime gang connections.
The
previous ruling, which claimed that there was no crime gang connection in the
murder of Dink, had been highly controversial, causing a stir in public debate.
The
suspects will now be on trial again in the Istanbul court that gave the initial
rulings.
Dink,
an Armenian-Turkish journalist, was assassinated in Istanbul in January 2007 by
Ogun Samast, a 17-year old Turkish nationalist, in front of the offices of
Agos, the weekly for which he was the editor-in-chief.
After
two years of proceedings Samast was convicted on July 25, 2011, of premeditated
murder and illegal possession of a firearm by Istanbul’s Juvenile Court for
Serious Crimes and sentenced to 22 years and 10 months. Another suspect, Yasin
Hayal, was convicted of ordering the murder and was sentenced to life
imprisonment.
Following
a five-year trial, the court had ruled on January 17, 2012, that it saw no
“deep state” role in the plotting of the assassination, despite serious claims
that a number of civil servants were “indirectly” involved. The ruling was
overturned a year later by the Supreme Court of Appeals, which led to
prosecutors restarting their probe into the murder.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
