TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
201/16
19.10.2016
1.
Akinci says they plan a meeting abroad in November to discuss the territory
issue
2.
Ozgurgun: We cannot wait for the Greek Cypriot side and the solution, we will
continue developing
3.
1st Turkic World Youth Forum was held in the breakaway
regime
4.
Turkes and Denktas address the “1st Youth Forum of the Turkic World” in the
occupied area of Cyprus
5.
Arslan met with Akinci and discussed the Cyprus
problem
6.
“E-governing protocol” signed between Turkey and the breakaway
regime
7.
Tatar called Akinci not to proceed to the discussion of the territory
issue
8.
Ertugruloglu met with Cavusoglu on the sidelines of the 43rd Session of the
Council of Foreign Ministers meeting of the OIC
9.
Self-styled minister of tourism to attend the Global Health Tourism Summit and
Fair
10.
“Moscow Times”: An ultimatum from Putin to Erdogan
11.
The KTTO backs the “energy cooperation agreement” signed recently between Turkey
and the occupation regime
12.
“Water Transfer Project” marks 1st year
13.
BKP participated in a meeting of the European Left Party
14.
The Turkish Football Federation will reportedly open an “office” in the
occupation regime; Sertoglu met with Demiroren
15.
Woodchurch Scout group will visit the occupied area of Cyprus
16.
MHP backs government on charter bid
17.
Turkey joins coalition for Mosul operation
18.
Turkish FM: Iraqi delegation heading to Turkey, dialogue sought
19.
Dundar faces up to three years in jail on terror
charges
1.
Akinci says they plan a meeting abroad in November to discuss the territory
issue
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (19.10.16) reports that Turkish
Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci met yesterday with Turkish Deputy Prime
Minister responsible for Cypriot Affairs, Tugrul Turkes, who reiterated the
allegation that Turkey supports the negotiating process in
Cyprus.
In
statements after the meeting, Akinci said that they plan a meeting abroad in
November for discussing the territory issue and added that “right afterwards we
want holding a five-party meeting where security and the guarantees will be
discussed”.
Akinci
argued that reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem by the end of the year
has become a target for many sides including the UNSG’s Special Advisor for
Cyprus and President Anastasiades. Claiming that a “natural timetable”
for achieving a solution by the end of 2016 has been created, Akinci
reiterated that the reasons for this are the beginning of the campaign for the
2018 presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus, the change of the UNSG
and the US President and the agreements for launching drilling works in Cyprus’
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for natural gas in 2017, “on which the Turkish
Cypriots have also natural rights”.
Referring
to the natural gas resources in Cyprus’ EEZ, Akinci alleged: “Activities
which will take place there without an agreement are turning an issue on which
cooperation should be made into a field of potential tension”.
Furthermore,
Akinci claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side continuously shows that it
is ready for a solution in Cyprus and that solution within 2016 is possible
in case of both sides are ready for it. He argued that the details of the
solution plan and the preparation of the federal laws could remain for 2017 and
the referendum could be held in the mid-2017.
Underlining
the importance of close consultation with Turkey and the “TRNC” during the
negotiations, Akinci expressed the view that reason and realism should be
exhibited in order for making possible a solution with which all sides to
benefit. “This is what we expect from our interlocutors”, he claimed and
alleged: “Instead of demanding the impossible, if they behave within the scope
of fair, realistic and reasonable measures, we will find a way out, because I
allege that we are behaving within the scope of reasonable measures”.
Meanwhile,
under the title “The Cyprus negotiations are being carried to
Switzerland”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (19.10.16)
reports that the intensified negotiations on the territory issue are expected
to be held in Switzerland between 5 and 11 November. According to the paper,
during his meeting with Turkes, Akinci expressed the hope “for us to be able
to pass into a meeting of continuous form in the first week of November, just
like we have been always saying, but right after that we want a five-party
meeting to take place”. “Thus the final shape could be formed with the
security and guarantees in an environment in which the guarantors will also be
present”, he added.
(I/Ts.)
2.
Ozgurgun: We cannot wait for the Greek Cypriot side and the solution, we will
continue developing
Turkish
Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (19.10.16) reports that
Huseyin Ozgurgun, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, met yesterday with Turkish Deputy Prime
Minister responsible for Cypriot Affairs, Tugrul
Turkes.
In
statements during the meeting, Ozgurgun alleged that they cannot wait for the
Greek Cypriot side and the solution and claimed: “If the TRNC needs an
agreement, the Greek Cypriot side also needs an agreement. If they do not need
an agreement, we also do not need one. […] We cannot sit and wait for the Greek
Cypriot side for an agreement. We have to continue our development in economic
and social sense and in infrastructure”.
Noting
that during the recent period they are closely working and cooperating with the
Turkish government, Ozgurgun described as “important” the “working visits” of
Turkes and his delegation at a stage when the “economic cooperation protocol” is
being implemented. He further claimed that “TRNC’s” economic and social
development is an important message at this stage when negotiations are being
held”.
In
his statements, Turkes said that they have evaluated proposals and the situation
of their common projects within the framework of their economic and social
cooperation.
He further described as “good coincidence” the fact that his visit coincides
with the anniversary of bringing water from Turkey to the occupied area of
Cyprus. “Now we have bigger projects”, he said.
(I/Ts.)
3.
1st Turkic World Youth Forum was held in the occupied area of
Cyprus
Illegal
Bayrak television (18.10.16) broadcast that the 1st Turkic World Youth Forum
organized by the Turkish Solidarity Society is being held in the breakaway
regime.
The
forum was held at the Acapulco Hotel in occupied Keryneia and was attended by
300 youths from 25 countries and parliamentarians from Turkic countries.
Speakers at the Forum were “deputy prime minister” Serdar Denktas and the
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of Cyprus Affairs Tugrul
Turkes.
4.
Turkes and Denktas address the “1st Youth Forum of the Turkic World” in the
occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (19.10.16) reports that
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cypriot Affairs, Tugrul Turkes
has alleged that the civilized world does not permit the Turkish Cypriot young
people to show their abilities internationally and participate in sports
activities. Addressing the “1st Youth Forum of the Turkic World” which
started yesterday in the occupied area of Cyprus, Turkes described as “ugly
ploys” the so-called embargoes allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots and
wondered “how could a young person making sports with people of his own age in
other countries could harm the solution of the Cyprus problem”.
He
alleged: “That is, while diplomatic matters, issues which should be settled in
the negotiations exist on the one hand, isolations on basic humanitarian points,
threats, limitations and ugly ploys exist on the other. You as TRNC should be
presented as an athletic club in the Greek Cypriot side, only from there I could
give you permission to play. […] These minds should change and you are the ones
who should change these”.
Furthermore,
Turkes argued that the Turkic youth should obtain the information and equipment
required by the 21st century, the century of information. He further
underlined that it is important for the Turkic youth to follow well the
developments of the 21st century and have the possibility of
producing solutions.
Moreover,
Turkes alleged that the Turkish language is at the fifth place of the most
widely expanded languages in the world, since it is not spoken only in Turkey,
the occupied area of Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and
Kazakhstan, but also by 30 million Turks living in the Russian Federation and 25
million Turks living in the People’s Republic of
China.
In
his address, Serdar Denktas, self-styled deputy prime minister of the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, also alleged
that embargoes are implemented on the Turkish Cypriots by states which call
themselves civilized and defenders of the human rights. He claimed that
the Turkish Cypriot youth is deprived of the right of participating even in
sports activities.
According
to Denktas, the Turkish Cypriots expect from the Turkic states the
participation of Turkish Cypriot young people in sport and cultural activities
held within the “Turkic world” and their contribution in the lifting of “this
shame for the humanity”.
Arguing
that the whole world exerts pressure for the solution of the Cyprus
problem, Denktas said: “Let a solution happen and this solution will not be
like the Greek Cypriots think, a Greek island where elements who speak the
Turkish language exist. This country is our home. We want to live our joys and
grievances here. We have protected our identity for 400 years. We want to
protect it from now on as well and live humanly”.
(I/Ts.)
5.
Arslan met with Akinci and discussed the Cyprus
problem
Illegal
Bayrak television (18.10.16) broadcast that the Turkish Minister of
Transportation, Maritime and Communication Ahmet Arslan who is visiting the
breakaway regime, held a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.
Speaking
during the meeting Arslan said that their goal was to complete new
infrastructural projects in the “TRNC”.
Akinci
for his part underlined the importance of maritime and communication projects,
particularly since the breakaway regime is an island
“state”.
Pointing
out that the illegal Tymbou airport is “the TRNC’s gateway to the world” Akinci
said that it was their desire to see the “airport” receive the much needed
upgrade.
Also
touching upon the Cyprus problem, Akinci said that the Cyprus Problem had been
going on for almost half a century. “Everything has a saturation point. I
believe that the Cyprus problem has reached its saturation point. We need to
find a mutually acceptable solution which can be beneficial to all parties. The
Greek Cypriots need to show the same sincerity that we are displaying in the
talks. We can’t achieve anything if you constantly demand the impossible” he
argued.
Akinci
also said that the Cyprus problem has reached a critical stage and that the next
two months are crucial for the future of the island and added that a solution
could allow the creation of an energy corridor in the region with the discovery
of hydrocarbons.
6.
“E-governing protocol” signed between Turkey and the breakaway
regime
Illegal
Bayrak television (19.10.16) broadcast that the Turkish Minister of
Transportation, Maritime and Communication Ahmet Arslan and the self-styled
minister of public works and communication Kemal Durust signed “a protocol” for
an “e-governing project” as well as a memorandum of understanding for
cooperation between the “post offices” of Turkey and the breakaway regime.
Speaking
after the meeting Durust said that “the TRNC as a state had to improve and
advance itself as well as achieve a more prestigious place in the world”.
He
however claimed that this could only be achieved with the support of “motherland
Turkey”
Stressing
that the implementation of the new “e-governing project” will be a turning point
in the “country”, he said he had no doubt that the “postal services” will
improve further with the “memorandum” to be signed.
Stating
that 2017 “will be a year of breakthroughs for the TRNC in terms of highways and
telecommunication”, Durust said: “We are not like others. We never take offence
for the support we receive from the motherland.”
Turkish
Minister Arslan for his part pointed to the importance of cooperation between
Turkey and the breakaway regime and said that they attach importance to
transferring Turkey’s own experiences to the “TRNC” in the fields of
transportation, communication and navigation. He said 123 million TL was
allocated this year with the aim of developing and improving the “TRNC’s
infrastructure, particularly its highways, aviation and maritime
sector”.
Noting
that a total of 788 million TL had been spent on the “TRNC’s highways” to this
day, he argued that all these investments had been made so that the breakaway
regime could stand on its own feet and for raising the prosperity of the Turkish
Cypriots.
Meanwhile,
stamps prepared on the occasion of the 1st anniversary of the Water Supply
Project were revealed to the public following the signing
ceremony.
Arslan
and Durust then visited occupied Panagra where they held inspections on the
Water Supply Project Facilities and Panagra Dam.
They
also held inspections in the occupied Keryneia carport.
7.
Tatar called Akinci not to proceed to the discussion of the territory
issue
Under
the title: “Warning by Tatar”, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (1910.16)
reports that Ersin Tatar, “deputy” with the National Unity Party (UBP) issued
a written statement and called the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci not to
discuss the territory issue with the Greek Cypriot side before the definition of
the exact date of the five-party meeting and its official announcement by the
UN.
Arguing
that the expectations of the Turkish Cypriot side in the four chapters under
discussion were not met, Tatar supported that the opening of the territory and
guarantee issues for discussion is unacceptable. He claimed also that the “Greek
Cypriot side is hiding behind the game of seeing the concessions of the Turkish
Cypriot side on the territory issue”.
(…)
8.
Ertugruloglu met with Cavusoglu on the sidelines of the 43rd Session of the
Council of Foreign Ministers meeting of the OIC
Illegal
Bayrak television (18.10.16) broadcast that self-styled foreign minister Tahsin
Ertugruloglu is in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan to attend the 43rd
Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting of the Organization for
Islamic Cooperation.
Ertugruloglu
met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on the sidelines of the
meeting. The Cyprus negotiations process was discussed at the
meeting.
9.
Self-styled minister of tourism to attend the Global Health Tourism Summit
and Fair
Illegal
Bayrak television (18.10.16) broadcast that self-styled minister of tourism and
environment Fikri Ataoglu will attend the Global Health Tourism Summit and Fair
being held between the 19th-21st of October, to be held in Turkey.
Ataoglu
will be delivering a speech on “health tourism in the TRNC” at the opening
ceremony of the summit.
10.
“Moscow Times”: An ultimatum from Putin to
Erdogan
Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (online, 19.10.16) with the above title
reports that Russian President Putin said to Turkish President Erdogan: “If
any Turkish soldier enters Iraq’s Mosul, Russia will intervene in Cyprus to
liberate it from your puppet regime. Turkish troops should withdraw from
Cyprus”.
According
to the “Moscow Times”, Putin in a phone conversation with Erdogan, warned him
about the devastating outcomes in case Turkey interferes in
Mosul.
According
to the paper, Putin said:
"Russia
will not repeat the same mistakes. If any Turkish soldier enters Mosul, we
shall intervene to liberate the entire Cyprus, overthrow your puppet regime in
North Nicosia and your four-decade occupation. You must withdraw immediately
your troops from Cyprus. It is totally unacceptable from you to play the
dirty game in order to change the ethnic map of Mosul and export your own
political crisis to other countries by derailing military efforts to liberate
Mosul”.
According
to the paper, “The Moscow Times” cited President Putin as saying: “Esteemed
President, you are openly directing Turkish Cypriots on an uncompromising and
aggressive line. There are many incidents of Turkish soldiers harassing the
local Cypriots. For this reason, we believe it is a quite legitimate demand,
Turkey to return the Agia Sophia Cathedral to the Christendom in
Istanbul”.
11.
The KTTO backs the “energy cooperation agreement” signed recently between
Turkey and the occupation regime
Turkish
Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (19.10.16) reports that the Turkish Cypriot
Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) issued a written statement and evaluated as very
positive the latest “agreement” signed between Turkey and the occupation regime
in the field of “energy cooperation”.
The
KTTO referred in the statement on the “energy cooperation agreement” signed
recently by the so-called minister of economy and energy Sunat Atun and the
Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Berat Albayrak which envisages
the “energy cooperation” between Turkey and the occupation regime, the
transferring of “electricity” from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus via
cables and the establishment of an interconnected system between the two
“countries” with the aim to achieve the transferring of several economic energy
resources.
The
KTTO said in the statement that it fully supports the above “agreement/” and
expressed the will to be actively included into the working group to be
established in the framework of the implementation of the “cooperation
protocol”.
(AK)
12.
“Water Transfer Project” marks 1st year
Illegal
Bayrak television (19.10.16) broadcast that it has been a complete year since
water from Turkey arrived in the breakaway regime via an undersea pipeline.
Today,
a total of 74 settled areas in 24 of the 28 “municipalities” in the “country”
are being supplied with water.
According
to information released by the “ministry of agriculture and natural resources”
water levels at the Panagra Dam which can hold up to 26.5 million cubic meters
of water currently stands at 75%.
Around
52 thousand cubic meters of the water is being treated before being distributed
across the occupied area of Cyprus.
The
“Water Transfer Project” which pumps water from the Dragon river in Anamur
Turkey to the breakaway regime via an 80km undersea suspended pipeline cost
around 1.6 billion Turkish Liras to complete.
13.
BKP participated in a meeting of the European Left Party
Turkish
Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (19.10.16) reports that the United Cyprus party
(BKP) attended the executive council meeting of the European Left Party (EL)
which took place in Hungary.
According
to a statement issued by the BKP, the meeting was hosted by the Worker’s Party
of Hungary.
(AK)
14.
The Turkish Football Federation will reportedly open an “office” in the
occupation regime; Sertoglu met with Demiroren
Turkish
Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (19.10.16) reports that the “chairman” of the
“Turkish Cypriot football federation” (“KTFF”) Hasan Sertoglu met the other day
with the chairman of the Turkish Football Federation, Yildirim Demiroren. The
meeting, writes the paper, took place after an intensive effort exerted by the
so-called prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun.
Invoking
reliable sources close to Demiroren, the paper writes, that during the meeting
in Istanbul, Sertoglu and Demiroren had not discussed the issue related with the
process with the Cyprus Football Association (KOP) or the agreement being
achieved in Zurich.
The
same sources said that during the meeting, Sertoglu and Demiroren agreed upon
the opening of an “office” by the Turkish Football Federation to the occupied
area of Cyprus. The paper adds that Demiroren has reportedly brought into the
agenda of the meeting the proposal for the opening of an “office” of the Turkish
Football Federation in the “TRNC” in order to contribute further to the
development of the football in the “TRNC” and also to provide help to the
“Turkish Cypriot football federation” to make openings abroad.
The same sources stated further that Sertoglu, who was against the opening of
such an “office” in the “TRNC”, did not turn against the proposal this time.
(AK)
15.
Woodchurch Scout group will visit the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (19.10.16) reports that the Woodchurch Scout
group based in Kent, Britain, will visit the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus to camp as guests of the “Sehit Tuncer primary school” in the “TRNC”
between October 22-29.
According
to the paper, the visit of the Woodchurch Scout group is considered important
from the point of view that the contacts of the Turkish Cypriot scouts abroad
are limited due to reportedly embargoes.
The
Woodchurch Scout group will consist from 12 scout students and 5 scout leaders
under the leadership of scout commissioner Jullian West.
The
Scout group will also be hosted at the “youth camp” in occupied Lapithos and
will also meet with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and the
self-styled minister of education Ozdemir Berova.
(DPs)
16.
MHP backs government on charter bid
Turkish
Hurriyet Daily News (19.10.16) reports that the ruling in Turkey Justice and
Development Party (AKP) has said it will submit its own constitutional draft
imposing a shift to a presidential system to parliament as soon as possible
after the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) again said such a bid should be taken
to the public.
“I
have confidence in the Turkish public. If the AKP brings the constitutional
charter to a parliamentary vote and is sensitive to our stance, I believe a
healthy and reasonable outcome will be achieved,” MHP head Devlet Bahceli told
his party’s group on Oct. 18. “If the conditions are met, we will have no
hesitation in consulting our mighty public about any solution to a problem or a
puzzle.”
Bahceli’s
statement came a day after he met Prime Minister Binali Yildirim in a
face-to-face meeting where the two men discussed efforts to renew the
Constitution that would also introduce a presidential system. With its 316 seats
in Parliament, the AKP is at least 14 votes short of introducing a
constitutional amendment, as any charter change requires the support of at least
330 votes in order to take it to a referendum. The MHP has 40 seats in
Parliament and its support for the AKP will suffice to take any amendment to a
public vote.
Only
minutes after Bahceli’s address to his group, Yildirim announced that his party
“will submit its proposal, which includes the presidential system and
constitutional changes, to parliament. The decision will be left to the noble
Parliament.”
Echoing
Bahceli’s comments on the need to legalize the “de facto presidential system,”
Yildirim said Erdogan was elected through a popular vote. “What we want is to
eliminate the disorder which this situation created in the system. In order to
do that, the recent situation should be compatible with the
Constitution.”
In
addition, Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (19.10.16) also reports that Peoples’
Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtas has said that the
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is engaged in a “filthy bargain” with the
ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) over shifting Turkey to a
presidential system,
“I
don’t have any specific information but [MHP head Devlet] Bahceli and the AKP
are preparing an agenda via holding meetings behind closed doors,” Demirtas told
reporters on Oct. 17, adding that the MHP “pretends to be doing opposition but
is actually having secret meetings with the AKP.”
“This
is a deliberate scenario set up by the AKP and the MHP. No one should try to
sell us a dictatorship under the name that the parliamentary system doesn’t
work,” he added, stressing that the HDP opposes the presidential system.
17.
Turkey joins coalition for Mosul operation
Turkish
Hurriyet Daily News (19.10.16) reports that Turkey and the United States have
reached an agreement in which Turkish warplanes will join an ongoing operation
to capture Mosul, the Turkish Prime Minister has said, adding that Turkey’s F-16
Fighting Falcons would be called for duty by the Kuwait-based command center if
required.
The
agreement between the two allies was reached at a meeting between Turkish and
American chiefs of general staff in Washington over the weekend, Prime Minister
Binali Yildirim said in a phone interview with daily Hurriyet on Oct. 18.
Yildirim
said the deal referred to the Turkish Air Force’s participation in air strikes
by coalition forces against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)
positions in and around Mosul.
The
announcement came after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan strongly pressed for
Turkey’s active participation in the operation and to sit at the same table with
all coalition countries.
Turkey
is not joining aerial strikes right now, Yildirim said. “But there is an
agreement on the participation of Turkish aerial vehicles in the operation in
principle. In the event there is a need, our warplanes will participate as part
of the coalition. What is important is to be part of it,” Yildirim told
reporters after a parliamentary group meeting. His earlier remarks at the group
were interpreted as suggesting that Turkish jets had already joined the
coalition’s aerial campaign.
According
to the agreement, Turkey will put a certain number of its F-16 Fighting Falcons
under the order of the Kuwait-based Mosul Operation Command Center. The
warplanes will be called for duty on daily and weekly assignments. Turkish
warplanes will take off from Turkey’s İncirlik Air Base in the southern province
of Adana. Turkish warplanes will conduct a minimum of two and a maximum of 10
sorties a day, according to the agreement.
Turkey,
meanwhile, has said it will not conduct any aerial strikes in which there could
be civilian casualties, daily Hurriyet has learned.
The
agreement between the two countries also envisages the use of İncirlik by
coalition warplanes that have already been deployed to the base. Another
military base in Diyarbakir, however, will be used as the center of
communication and of search and rescue operations. The center will play an
important role in conducting aerial strikes against ISIL during the Mosul
operation.
The
deal does not include Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles on the grounds that the
control of the drones will be under the Kuwait command center and because of the
intense fight against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
In
the meantime, Turkey will attend a meeting of anti-ISIL coalition countries to
be held in Paris on Oct. 20. The meeting will be co-chaired by the French and
Iraqi foreign ministers who will review ongoing efforts to defeat ISIL. France
will host a defense ministers’ meeting in Paris in Oct. 25 as
well.
18.
Turkish FM: Iraqi delegation heading to Turkey, dialogue sought
Ankara
Anatolia news agency (19.10.16) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut
Cavusoglu has said an Iraqi delegation will visit Turkey by the end of the week,
probably on Oct. 20, stressing that both Ankara and Baghdad are willing to solve
the political dispute between them through “dialogue.”
Turkish
and Iraqi officials discussed the status of Turkish troops in northern Iraq and
agreed to continue dialogue in order to make the status of these forces clear,
sources speaking on condition of anonymity told the Hurriyet Daily News,
discussing a visit by a Turkish delegation to Baghdad on Oct.
17.
The
parties also reportedly discussed the ongoing Mosul operation to retake Mosul
from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), including the role of
Nineveh fighters.
Meanwhile,
supporters of the Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr have been demonstrating in
front of the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad since Oct. 17, demanding the withdrawal
of Turkish troops. More than 10,000 people gathered in front of the embassy but
dispersed on Oct. 18, local sources told the Hurriyet Daily News.
19.
Dundar faces up to three years in jail on terror
charges
Ankara
Anatolia news agency (19.10.16) reports that an Istanbul court has accepted an
indictment against journalist Can Dundar on charges of “printing and publishing
terrorist organizations’ statements” during his one-day editorial duty
undertaken in solidarity with a now-closed daily
newspaper.
The
indictment against Dundar and daily Ozgur Gundem’s managing editor, İnan
Kizilkaya, sought between one year and three years in jail for the suspects over
the alleged crime, committed when a news story titled “HPD actions are ongoing”
and subtitled “A guerilla was killed” was published in the June 22 edition of
the daily, referring to the Peoples’ Defense Units, a sub-group of the outlawed
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
The
document also noted that Ozgur Gundem was shut down for making “PKK terror
propaganda and was run as the organization’s media
outlet.”
While
Dundar’s defense could not been taken, Kizilkaya denied the charges, saying the
related news stories “should be considered within the freedom of press.”
A
total of 44 prominent journalists - including Hasan Cemal, Seyhmus Diken, Tugrul
Eryilmaz and Ayse Duzkan - served as one-day editors-in-chief of Ozgur Gundem
during the campaign.
Dundar,
the former editor-in-chief of daily Cumhuriyet, was earlier this year sentenced
to five years and 10 months in prison for revealing state secrets in a report on
a shipment of arms intercepted at the Syrian border in January 2014. Dundar is
believed to be outside the country after he was freed earlier this year pending
an appeal following his trial.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/AM)
