TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA
REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 173/16
10-12.09.2016
1. Akinci argues that the end of the Cyprus problem is
near
2. Akinci refers to the need for a “balance” between the EU values on
the one hand and bi-zonality and bi-communality on the other
3. Akinci briefed the Turkish political parties which are not
represented in the “assembly” on the Cyprus negotiation
4. Ankara wants timetable on visa-free travel to
EU
5. Ertugruloglu: The only acceptable guarantee is the one in which
Turkey has the unilateral right to intervene if the need
arise
6. Durust stated that their goal is for the occupied Lefkonoiko
airport to open for cargo transportation
7. The Turkish Cypriot “chamber of industry” visited Germany
8. Reactions over the approval of the occupied Keryneia “state
planning decree”
9. The number of students increased in the breakaway regime
10. The director of the Turkish State Hydraulics Works: Turkey
supplied 70% of the breakaway regime with clean potable water
11. Internal crisis at the TDP; Emiroglulari to be discharged from
his post
12. World’s Muslims celebrate Feast of
Sacrifice
13. Erdogan highlights determination to eradicate terror in Turkey
with bayram message
14. Turkey appoints Mayors to replace those tied to
“terror”
15. Journalist Ahmet Altan, academic Mehmet Altan
detained
1. Akinci argues that the end of the Cyprus problem is
near
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.09.16) reports that
Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci has argued that the end of the Turkish
Cypriot “people” being “deprived from their partnership rights” in an
internationally recognized state and “being isolated from the world for many
years” is approaching.
In a message on the occasion of the Feast of Sacrifice [Kurban
Bayrami], Akinci said that the Turkish Cypriot “people” will “take the place
they deserve in the new federal Cyprus as masters of their own house and as
founding partner with their own founding state which will be equal to the people
of south Cyprus”.
“When the day comes, the [Turkish Cypriot people] will take their
decision with their own will in a referendum for a peaceful and bright future”,
he added reiterating that they are seriously working to establish a united
federal state having two founding states as a mutually accepted and fair
solution. “I will hold the last meeting of the intensified negotiating
process on 14 September the last day of the Feast, share the latest situation
with our people and then depart from the island to New York for a while to hold
some contacts”, he noted.
Akinci argued:
“I want you to know on this feast day that we are approaching now to
the end of the Turkish Cypriot people living deprived from their partnership
rights in a recognized state and of being isolated from the world for years. […]
Now all our effort is to conclude the agreement to which both communities could
say ‘yes’ in the referendum and it is true that we have achieved great
progress in this direction. However, the process has not been completed
yet. I believe that the remaining issues can also be concluded in realism
and logic. In case we reach the stage of referendum, enough time will
undoubtedly be given prior to the voting […]”
(I/Ts.)
2. Akinci refers to the need for a “balance” between the EU values
on the one hand and bi-zonality and bi-communality on the other
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (11.09.16) reported
that in statements after the meeting he had on Saturday with President
Anastasiades within the framework of the intensified Cyprus talks, Turkish
Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci has described the meeting as “positive” and
added that the convergences are continuously increasing, in spite of the fact
that disagreements still exist.
Noting that the chapter of governance and power sharing had been
discussed in the meeting, the paper writes that Akinci said that we have to
be self-possessed but optimistic, because the process has “taken flesh and
blood” and “we want to bring an agreement to the island by the end of this
year”. He alleged that there is absolutely no “serious” reason for not
achieving an agreement if the Greek Cypriot side acts with realism and logic.
Akinci said that the convergences have increased, but there are
“serious disagreements” on two issues, on which only an exchange of views has
been made. He expressed the opinion that progress on these two issues could be
achieved if these are discussed in a “different format”.
Replying to a question, Akinci noted that the issue of the
rotating presidency is not among the convergences and added that the
disagreement on this issue continues to exist. Akinci described the
rotating presidency as “an indispensable part of the political equality for the
Turkish Cypriot side”.
Asked on the issue of the four freedoms, Akinci referred to the joint
declaration of the 11th of February 2014 and noted that the
federation will have a bi-zonal and bi-communal character and will be based upon
the founding principles of the EU, which will be protected and respected in the
entire island. He argued that there is no disagreement on the issue that the
federation will be consisted of two equal founding states and that it will be
modern state member of the EU. He argued:
“That is, these issues are sometimes perceived as if the Turkish
Cypriots are far from the EU values and that they are a community which does not
accept the EU values. There is no such thing. We have nothing to be afraid from
the freedoms”.
What should be underlined, he claimed, is that a part of these
freedoms on sensitive issues, such as the property, will be regulated from the
founding state and will be bound to the criteria of this state. He argued that it is not possible for this right to be totally
eliminated, but giving rights and competences to the founding state is important
for the Turkish Cypriot side and necessary for the EU laws not pushing aside the
bi-zonality and bi-communality, which are UN criteria, and for having a balance
between the two.
Akinci alleged the following: “It is a different thing to come out
and say that there is an agreement on the issue of the four freedoms and stop
there and different to give details as regards the framework within which this
will be. Sometimes only one part of this is said in the Greek Cypriot side. The
second part which I have explained you in detail is not said and reactions in
the Turkish Cypriot side are caused”.
Referring to the last meeting of the intensified round of the Cyprus
talks, Akinci said that there will be no announcement of a framework
agreement on 14 September and that the leaders will only make an evaluation of
the situation. There is no need for “unnecessary expectations” on this
issue, he added.
Asked on the continuation of the summer time during the winter in the
occupied area of the island after a similar decision taken in Turkey [contrary to what happens
in all Europe], Akinci argued that this kind of problems will continue to
exist as long as the Cyprus problem remains unsolved. “If you ask me, I
do not wish for a different time to exist two steps further”, he said and added:
“When you think why this is necessary it is surely the result of the much more
relations with Turkey comparing to the Greek Cypriot side. The airplanes
come to us from only one place. The relation of these two sides in economy, from
the stock market to the foreign exchange, the exchange rate have been unified so
much that the government considered the implementation [of Turkey’s] hour to be
very natural. My preference is of course for us to have the same time in
Cyprus where we will establish a federal structure. This is wiser. Because we
are not a province of Turkey. We are a separate entity and we have as target a
solution in Cyprus. However, I can see that this is a result of practical
reasons. If we could have a different relation with the Greek Cypriot side,
we would think much more for doing this”.
Turkish Cypriots daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (11.09.16) refers to
Akinci’s statements under the title “Akinci: The four freedoms will not be
unlimited”.
(I/Ts.)
3. Akinci briefed the Turkish political parties which are not
represented in the “assembly” on the Cyprus negotiation
Illegal Bayrak television (10.09.16) broadcast that Turkish Cypriot
leader
Mustafa Akinci briefed representatives of political parties which do
not have “seats” in the “parliament” on the negotiations
process.
Members of the New Cyprus Party, Cyprus Socialists Party, United
Cyprus Party, Peoples Party and Social Democrat Party attended the
meeting.
“Presidential undersecretary” Gurdal Hudaoglu, Akinci’s spokesman
Baris Burcu and “special adviser for political affairs and general coordinator
of technical committees” Meltem Samani accompanied Akinci during the
meeting.
Speaking after the two hour meeting the leader of the Social Democrat
Party Tozun Tunali said that it was the first time that such an invitation had
been extended to political parties that do not have representation in
“parliament” and said that he was very pleased with the
developments.
‘We can see that many positive developments have taken place at the
Cyprus talks and we are on the right track. We fully support President Mustafa
Akinci during this process’ said Tunali.
A member of the central executive committee of the Peoples Party
Sadik Ulker said that the meeting had been very fruitful and added that they
supported a just and permanent solution to the Cyprus problem. He said that the
information they received will be very useful.
Party assembly member of the New Cyprus Party Alpay Durduran for his
part claimed that progress had not been made at the talks.
‘There is no progress. Just details. Everything is overripe. The
Cyprus issue has been discussed for many years, but it’s just that it’s being
discussed. On other issues there have been some progress but if the sides don’t
come to an agreement on the real issues then a solution cannot be found’ said
Durduran.
The leader of the United Cyprus party İzzet İzcan also gave his view
regarding the briefing. He said that they held a good meeting with the
“president” and compared to previous years some developments and progress had
been made at the talks.
‘Despite important developments being made on some chapters, there
are still many subjects that need to be discussed. We want a united federal
Cyprus. We want a bi-zonal solution with political equality, a solution that
protects the Turkish Cypriot people’ said İzcan.
Mehmet Birinci from the Cyprus Socialist Party for his part said that
some progress had been made at the talks but that the real problems that needed
to be solved were in the hands of the imperialist superpowers and that serious
efforts had not been made on this issue.
He said that at the end of October a 5 party meeting was being
planned but how this meeting is to be held is not yet clear and added that even
if the conference is realized he did not believe a solution is possible by the
end of the year.
4. Ankara wants timetable on visa-free travel to
EU
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (09.09.16) reports that Ankara has
demanded the European Union lay down a “concrete road map” for visa
liberalization, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Sept. 9 following a
proposal by Ankara for an interim formula to meet EU criteria for Turkish
citizens’ visa-free travel.
Ankara proposed that the Council of Europe monitor Turkey’s
anti-terror law, which could pave the way for the implementation of a migrant
deal that includes a readmission agreement in return for visa liberalization.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Enlargement
Commissioner Johannes Hahn made the highest-level EU visit to Turkey since the
failed coup attempt to hold a political dialogue meeting between Ankara and
Brussels.
“The key element which we agreed to was that we talk more to each
other and a little bit less about each other, showing full respect,” Mogherini
said after talks with Cavusoglu and EU Minister Omer Celik.
Turkish and EU officials engaged in a war of words over the opening
of chapters 23 and 24 of the accession process – encompassing justice and rights
and freedom and security – as Celik accused some member states that said it
would take years for Turkey to become a member of holding “double standards.”
Celik recalled criticisms from the EU on the state of human rights
and the freedom of press and called on the Union to discuss the issues in
official platforms during the opening of the relevant negotiation chapters 23
and 24.
Noting that preparations were underway to open the chapters, Hahn
referred “to the de facto blockage by Greek Cyprus on the opening of the
chapters”, and said a solution to the Cyprus problem could pave the way for the
opening of the chapters.
Claiming that Cyprus and the EU negotiations were different topics
for Ankara, Cavusoglu identified the position of the EU as a “weakness.” Hahn,
however, objected to the wording and said the situation was rather about the
operation of EU institutions.
The Turkish government has also suggested that the Council of Europe
monitor the implementation of Turkey’s anti-terror law, but the union has yet to
give a response, a Turkish official told the Hurriyet Daily News, adding that
the issue would be discussed at a technical level.
If the EU agrees to an interim formula on the anti-terror law, which
Turkey has refused to alter due to current security challenges, Ankara
anticipates that visas will be liberalized in October, according to a Turkish
official. The implementation of the deal would naturally be delayed until the
end of the year since Turkey has not instituted the use of new passports, which
is another criterion for visa liberalization, said the official.
Turkey and the EU earlier this year implemented a deal to stem the
record flow of migrants to Europe in exchange for billions of euro in aid to
Turkey and the lifting of short-term visa requirements on Turkish citizens in
October.
But the EU has failed to change its visa rules, accusing Turkey of
refusing to alter its draconian counter-terrorism laws to meet EU political
criteria.
5. Ertugruloglu: The only acceptable guarantee is the one in which
Turkey has the unilateral right to intervene if the need
arise
Illegal Bayrak television (10.09.16) broadcast that self-styled
foreign minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu evaluated Mustafa Akinci’s statement on the
issue of guarantees.
Despite thanking Akinci for his earlier statements that “a system of
guarantees without Turkey was unacceptable for Turkish Cypriots”, Ertugruloglu
said that this itself was not enough and that there is a need to take the issue
a step further.
He also underlined that the only guarantee that could be acceptable
for Turkish Cypriots was one in which Turkey had the unilateral right to
intervene if the need arise.
Alleging that it will not be possible to talk about the existence of
guarantees if the necessary sensitivity is not shown on the issue, Ertugruloglu
gave the example of the 1974 Turkish invasion within the context of the 1960
Republic agreement.
He claimed: “If Turkey had been able to intervene in Cyprus on the
20th of July 1974 this was because of her right to intervene which stemmed from
the treaties of guarantees”.
6. Durust stated that their goal is for the occupied Lefkonoiko
airport to open for cargo transportation
Under the front-page title: “New era in the air”, Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (12.09.16) reports that the so-called minister of
communication and transportation Kemal Durust, in an exclusive interview to the
paper, stated, inter alia, that they do not have any problem concerning the
tender for the illegal Tymbou airport and added that they follow the
developments towards this issue very closely. “It is out of the question for the
agreement to be postponed. Everybody do their own part. The works at Ercan
airport continue very well”.
Durust stated also that they examine the possibility for the opening
of the occupied Lefkonoiko airport for cargo transportation. “This is a very big
and breathtaking project. It is into the agenda for the region to be declared a
transit region. We should not underestimate this project”, Durust argued, adding
also that the “agreement” with the Turkish Cypriot businessman Asil Nadir who
“owns” the occupied Lefkonoiko airport, has been renewed.
(AK)
7. The Turkish Cypriot “chamber of industry” visited Germany
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (12.09.16) reports
that a delegation from the Turkish Cypriot “chamber of industry” headed by
Ali Cirali, chairman of the organization, visited Germany and held contacts in
Braunschweig, Leipzig and Berlin between 6 and 10 September 2016. According
to a statement issued by the “chamber”, the Turkish Cypriot delegation was
accompanied by the German Ambassador to Nicosia Nikolai von Schoepff and the
so-called representative of the breakaway regime in Berlin Kemal Gokeri. The
“chamber” said that “the contacts were productive and laid foundations for many
future projects”.
In Braunschweig the delegation visited the Physikallisch-technische
Bundesanstait (PYB), one of the oldest institutes of meteorology, and met with
the president of the institute’s administrative council, Dr. John Stenger and
the director of the Cooperation Department, Dr Marion Stoldt.
The Turkish Cypriot “chamber” asked visits to be organized to Leipzig
with the aim of knowing closer the German chamber which allegedly wants to
invest in the occupied area of Cyprus and of creating concrete projects. The
delegation also met with Benjamin Leipold, regional chairman of the German Union
of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) and Dr Sara Borella, representative
of Western and Central Europe. Information on the breakaway regime’s economy
was given during the meeting and fields in which cooperation between Turkish
Cypriot and German companies could be made were examined, taking into
consideration the geopolitical developments in the area and the solution process
in Cyprus.
The Turkish Cypriot delegation met in Berlin with Dr Ahmet Bayraktar,
general secretary of Turkish-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Kerem
Uygun, deputy general secretary of the same organization.
In all contacts, the Turkish Cypriot delegation briefed its
interlocutors on the negotiating process for finding a solution in Cyprus and
the stability and possibilities for investments in the area which a possible
solution will offer. It also stressed the importance of the project of transferring
water from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus which it described as “one of
the most important opportunities for investment”. During the meetings,
fields in which German businessmen could invest in the occupied part of
Cyprus were examined. According to the Turkish Cypriot “chamber”, the
German businessmen are especially interested on issues of renewable energy
resources and infrastructure projects.
(I/Ts.)
8. Reactions over the approval of the occupied Keryneia “state
planning decree”
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Bakis newspaper (11.09.16) reported that
the approval by the so-called council of ministers of the “amendment” of the
“city planning decree” for the occupied Keryneia area which was also published
at the “official gazette” of the occupation regime, has caused a lot of
reactions by political party representatives in the occupation regime as well as
by representatives of several NGOs.
Commenting on the issue, Murat Kanatli, member of the executive board
of the New Cyprus Party (YKP) argued that with the approval of the “decree”,
they have signed the death decree of the city. Kanatli added also that “behind
this job is Serdar Denktas”.
Also, Izzet Izcan, chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), stated,
inter alia, that behind this decision there is a promise which was given to a
hotelier who wanted to build a septuplet hotel. He also said that with this
decision they will murder and destroy the city of occupied Keryneia.
Also, the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) in a written statement
condemned the “decree” and stated that its approval will not serve the public
interest nor the development of the tourism sector.
Moreover, Zeki Celer, “deputy” with the Social Democratic Party (TDP)
accused the so-called government for trying to serve the interests not of the
Turkish Cypriot community but of certain circles.
On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper
(10.09.16) reports that the “Keryneia Initiative” has also expressed strong
reaction over the approval of the “city planning decree” and condemned the
“government” for not taking into consideration the reactions expressed by the
“people”. The “Keryneia Initiative” argued also that the “decree” will darken
their future and will also “legalize” the illegal constructions.
The “Initiative” which was established by several persons and
“organizations” which are against the “state planning decree” of the occupied
Keryneia has announced that they are preparing to pursue a lawsuit at the “high
administrative court”.
(AK)
9. The number of students increased in the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.09.16) reports that the
number of foreign students who study at the illegal universities of the
breakaway regime has been increased from 22,000 to 27,000 this
year.
According to the paper, the foreign students bring 450 million
dollars to the breakaway regime every year. The paper notes that every student
brings 17,000 dollars per year in the breakaway regime distributing to the “TRNC
economy”.
Speaking to Kibris, the director of the “higher education and foreign
relation bureau”, Ziya Ozturkler, stated that importance must be given to the
quality of education offered to foreign students rather than their number.
Reporting on the same issue, Afrika (12.09.16) writes that the number
of the illegal universities increased from 12 to 14. It also reports that 12,500
from the breakaway regime and 55,000 students from Turkey study at the
“universities”. According to the paper, the students’ number will increased from
85,000 to 90,000.
(CS)
10. The director of the Turkish State Hydraulics Works: Turkey
supplied 70% of the breakaway regime with clean potable water
Illegal Bayrak television (09.09.16) broadcast that the General
Director of the Turkish State Hydraulics Works (DSI) Murat Acu has said that
they have supplied 70% of the breakaway regime with clean potable water within
the framework of the “Water Transfer Project”.
The DSI General Director who is in the occupied area of Cyprus
inspected ongoing construction work at the Water Treatment Facility being built
within the framework of the “Water Transfer Project”.
He then delivered a speech at the International Eurasian Engineering
and Design Schools Festival being held in the occupied part of Lefkosia.
Speaking there Acu said that 70% of the “country” had been supplied
with fresh potable water as a result of the “water transfer
project”.
He added that 19 of the 28 “municipalities” were being supplied with
the water being pumped from Turkey via the underwater
pipeline.
11. Internal crisis at the TDP; Emiroglulari to be discharged from
his post
Under the title: “Unexpected crisis at the TDP”, Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis newspaper (11.09.16) reported that a crisis occurred inside the
Social Democratic Party (TDP) with the chairman of the party in the occupied
Famagusta region, Mustafa Emiroglulari being dispatched at the Higher Discipline
Council of the party after the party’s central committee decision. The party’s
central committee demands for Emiroglulari to be discharged from his position.
According to the paper, Emiroglulari faces eight charges related with
disobeying the rules of the chairman of the party, acting against the party’s
ideology, establishing an organization with persons who are not members of the
party and other.
Speaking to the paper about this issue, Emiroglulari said that the
latest decision taken by the party derives from “personal conflicts and
problems” that exist within the party and argued that this stance will harm the
party. Calling the party central committee to withdraw its decision,
Emiroglulari added that the party behaves antidemocratically.
Also, commenting on the issue, Cemal Ozyigit, chairman of the TDP
confirmed that Emiroglulari faces charges for showing behaviors which are
contrary to the party’s bylaw and regulations. He added that the central
committee of the party will convene in the next days to examine and take the
final decision about Emiroglulari’s final dismissal from the party.
Referring to the same issue under the front page title: “They
declared war against Emiroglulari”, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper
(12.09.16) reports that stressful days will come at the TDP party after the
Kurban Bayram Feast since the final decision about Emiroglulari who was
dispatched at the party’s disciplinary council, will be announced.
In statements to the paper on the issue, the founding chairman of the
TDP Mehmet Cakici expressed his distress and sorrow over this development and
said that he feels sorry since he sees behaviors that exist especially in the
right-wing party to appear in the TDP as well.
The paper adds that Emiroglulari has won the “elections” for the
party’s district chairmanship in occupied Famagusta with great difference and
the decision to be discharged from his post has caused a lot of reactions in the
occupied Trikomo region.
(AK)
12. World’s Muslims celebrate Feast of
Sacrifice
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (12.09.16) reports that Muslims
worldwide, including those in Turkey, are celebrating Islam’s holy Feast of
Sacrifice – known as Eid al-Adha in Arabic - with millions of Muslims across the
world making a pilgrimage this week to Saudi Arabia.
The four-day celebration began on Sept. 12 in Turkey and most other
countries with a predominantly Muslim population.
Large numbers of sacrificial animals including sheep, cows, goats and
camels will be killed as part of the Feast of Sacrifice and their meat will be
distributed to the poor as a religious tradition in Islam.
This year Turkey declared a nine-day public holiday starting from
Sept. 10 for the Feast of Sacrifice.
13. Erdogan highlights determination to eradicate terror in Turkey
with bayram message
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (12.09.16) reports that Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a firm message against all terror groups
threatening Turkey's national security in a statement released by the Presidency
for the Qurban Bayram (Feast of the Sacrifice), also known as Eid
al-Adha.
"We are determined to eradicate PKK terror from Turkey with the joint
efforts of the security forces and hand in hand with the people. Just like [the
Gulenist terror cult], FETO, the PKK also has no chance in standing against the
nation's ability and the power of our state. The PKK's Syrian arm the Democratic
Union Party and [its armed wing] People's Protection Units [PYD-YPG] also awaits
the same fate," the President said in the statement released on Sunday, the eve
of Qurban Bayram.
"We see that the PKK terror organization is in efforts to intensify
its activities along the [southern] border regions," Erdogan said and added that
the terror group's aim is to disrupt Turkey's operation in Syria, backing the
Free Syrian Army (FSA), to eliminate DAESH from its southern borders. He also
said that the PKK has been experiencing some of the heaviest losses in its
history.
Speaking on Ankara's fight against DAESH, President Erdogan
highlighted Ankara's determination to fight against the terror group and the
efforts to eliminate this national security threat.
"It is a binding duty for us to eliminate the DAESH terror group from
Syria, and make it unable to carry out attacks in Turkey. Operation Euphrates
Shield is the first step. As a state and a nation, no one can stop us from doing
what is necessary in eliminating terror groups, regardless of whoever is behind
them," the President said.
In the message, the president also praised the people's power and
resistance against the bloody coup attempt on July 15, which led by a faction of
the military linked with the Gulenist terror cult, FETO.
"
14. Turkey appoints Mayors to replace those tied to
“terror”
Ankara Anatolia news agency (11.09.16) reported that twenty-eight
trustees were appointed to oversee local administrations on Sunday following the
suspension of Mayors accused of links to terrorism, the Turkish Interior
Ministry said.
The Mayors were suspended from duty over alleged ties to the PKK or
the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) linked to the July 15 coup attempt,
the Ministry said in a statement. Four of the removed Mayors are accused of ties
to FETO with 24 said to support the PKK.
The Ministry said it was resuming control in municipalities that had
“hijacked the national will and taxes”.
The affected areas are mostly in the east and southeast of the
country, including the provincial capitals Hakkari and Batman and districts
within the provinces of Agri, Van, Diyarbakir, Erzurum, Igdir, Mardin, Sanliurfa
and Mus.
The decision was made by newly-appointed Interior Minister Suleyman
Soylu under emergency powers passed in the wake of the attempted
coup.
“With the mandate given us by state decrees, the administration of 28
municipalities will no longer be with terrorists or under instruction from
Qandil but with nationals who embrace this flag with its crescent and star,”
Soylu said, referring to the PKK’s base in Iraq’s Qandil mountains and the
Turkish flag.
15. Journalist Ahmet Altan, academic Mehmet Altan
detained
Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (12.09.16) reports that prominent
journalist Ahmet Altan and his brother, academic and columnist Prof. Mehmet
Altan, were detained for questioning.
Announcing the detentions, Istanbul-based Platform for Independent
Journalism (P24) said the reason for the detentions was “Altan brothers'
statements on a TV show before the July 15 failed coup attempt in
Turkey.”
State-run Anadolu Agency reported that the Altan brothers were
detained because of the remarks they made on a program on Can Erzincan TV on
July 14.
Ahmet Altan participated in the program hosted by Mehmet Altan, along
with Nazli Ilicak who was arrested on July 29 on terrorism charges in the probe
into the failed coup.
During the program, the suspects “gave subliminal messages suggesting
a military coup,” according to an official document sent to the police by the
prosecutor’s office.
The suspects in their remarks “threatened” the Turkish government and
the president, and announced the coup attempt, the prosecutor said, adding that
“[suspects] could not have known about the coup attempt and announce it to shape
the public perception if they had not been a part of the terrorist organization
before.”
Ilicak’s testimony will also be sought as part of the probe, Anadolu
Agency said.
Ahmet Altan, a prominent novelist and former editor-in-chief of daily
Taraf, is also on trial along with his colleagues for “leaking state secrets”
for stories on an alleged coup plan by the Turkish
military.
More than 100 journalists have been arrested since July 15 in the
probe against followers of the U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah
Gulen.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS /AM)
