August 3, 2014

How happy the one blessed by Erdoğan in Turkey

Mustafa Demir*

In mid-July the Turkish prime minister invited public figures to a meeting where he publicized his “presidency vision.” With this invitation he indirectly requested that these celebrities come and endorse his candidacy for the presidency. Although the majority of those invited put in an appearance, others preferred not to come. Why did Erdogan put on such an event and invite those famous figures? Obviously, Erdoğan wants people to make their colors clear.

Police arrests part of pre-planned operation to punish gov't critics

A massive operation against the police force on July 22 which resulted in the arrest of over 30 policemen specializing in the counter-terrorism and anti-corruption fields has led a number of prominent observers to comment that the operation is politically motivated and is aimed at punishing critics of the government.

Bal: Lobby close to PKK in AK Party wanted to punish Hizmet

Independent deputy Professor İdris Bal, who resigned from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) last year, has spoken to Sunday's Zaman about the consequences of a graft probe which became public on Dec. 17 and in which some senior government members have been implicated and the government's efforts to cover up the corruption and bribery claims.