Nuray Mert
The Supreme Court of Appeals has overturned convictions in the Ergenekon coup plot trial as the alleged Ergenekon Terror Organization could not be found and identified. The Ergenekon probe dates back to 2007 after a cache of explosives found at the home of a former military officer was alleged to be part of a big conspiracy against the government. Then it was tied to the separate “Balyoz” (Sledgehammer) coup plot, but that was ended, too, when it was proved that evidence against the plotters was fabricated.
Showing posts with label Ergenekon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ergenekon. Show all posts
April 25, 2016
December 22, 2015
Former deputy Uras: Erdoğan struck deal with Ergenekon against Gülen movement
A former member of Parliament, academic Ufuk Uras claimed during an interview with a daily on Monday that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had made a deal with the leaders of the Ergenekon clandestine organization during his fight against the faith-based Gülen movement after the Dec. 17 and 25 graft investigations became public at the end of 2013.
May 28, 2015
For Judges Who Defy Turkey’s Leaders, Short Road to Jail
Emma Sinclair-Webb*
Jailing journalists has been one of the hallmarks of Turkey’s poor human rights record, a kind of shorthand for describing the country’s authoritarian tendencies and flawed justice system. But in the run up to a highly contested general election in June, that treatment has been extended to judges and prosecutors who issue decisions the government doesn’t like.
Jailing journalists has been one of the hallmarks of Turkey’s poor human rights record, a kind of shorthand for describing the country’s authoritarian tendencies and flawed justice system. But in the run up to a highly contested general election in June, that treatment has been extended to judges and prosecutors who issue decisions the government doesn’t like.
May 16, 2015
Ergenekon not dead, rules as coalition partner of AK Party
Anadolu Atayün, the elder brother of Yurt Atayün, the former chief of the Counterterrorism Department of the İstanbul Police Department who was detained in the July 22 operation, talked to Sunday's Zaman.
March 12, 2015
What Turkey has been experiencing is a civilian coup, intellectuals say
Various intellectuals have said that while the Turkish Republic has already experienced military coups in its history, it is the first time that it has undergone a civilian coup, referring to the Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) attempts to seize judicial and legislative bodies and take control of the country's media.
February 22, 2015
Academic: AKP’s Green Kemalist regime might descend into totalitarianism
Expect more election rigging by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party or the AKP) and even totalitarianism with no checks and balances if it wins the June 7 elections, academic İhsan Yılmaz says.
February 20, 2015
Sacrificing Sümeyye Erdoğan
İhsan Yılmaz
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan seems to be so desperate that he is using his own daughter's name in a terrible, horrendous and monstrous psychological campaign by possibly risking her life. He is willing to risk her life. He is trying to target, criminalize and demonize the opposition and the Hizmet movement by claiming they will assassinate his daughter Sümeyye Erdoğan.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan seems to be so desperate that he is using his own daughter's name in a terrible, horrendous and monstrous psychological campaign by possibly risking her life. He is willing to risk her life. He is trying to target, criminalize and demonize the opposition and the Hizmet movement by claiming they will assassinate his daughter Sümeyye Erdoğan.
February 17, 2015
Speaking Truth to Power in Turkey: An Interview with Ekrem Dumanli
Yohuru Williams
Last December, veteran Turkish journalist, newspaper executive and playwright Ekrem Dumanli made headlines after he was detained by Turkish authorities on charges of "forming, leading and being a member of an armed terrorist organization." Dumanli's supporters maintained that his only real crime was pressing for greater transparency and accountability from the government. Dumanli's appreciation for the importance of a free press has deep roots. Having worked for the Culture and Art Desk of the daily Zaman through most of the 1990s, he earned a Masters Degree from Emerson College in Boston, before returning to Turkey in 2001 to helm Zaman as its editor-in-chief. Through his vision and guidance, the newspaper's circulation grew, increasing from 150,000 to a million readers within a decade. Dumanli's influence has not been overlooked. In 2009, he earned a place on a list complied by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre and published by Georgetown University of the world's 500 Most Influential Muslims. Such prominence has come at a price. On December 14, 2014 he was among a number of journalists rounded up in government raids on media outlets. Despite the seriousness of the allegations against him and the dramatic way in which he and his colleagues were taken into custody, five days later he was released due to lack of evidence. I first became aware of the situation after Turkish protesters connected government repression in Turkey with the hash tag "We can't breathe". They were linking their efforts with the Black Lives Matter social media campaign related to the police killings of Eric Garner and Michael Brown in the United States. After his release, I had the opportunity to interview Dumanli with the hopes of shedding further light on what's happening in Turkey with regards to the freedom of the press, state of democracy, and the Hizmet movement. His words reaffirm the need for us to remain vigilante concerning threats to democratic practice both at home and abroad.
Last December, veteran Turkish journalist, newspaper executive and playwright Ekrem Dumanli made headlines after he was detained by Turkish authorities on charges of "forming, leading and being a member of an armed terrorist organization." Dumanli's supporters maintained that his only real crime was pressing for greater transparency and accountability from the government. Dumanli's appreciation for the importance of a free press has deep roots. Having worked for the Culture and Art Desk of the daily Zaman through most of the 1990s, he earned a Masters Degree from Emerson College in Boston, before returning to Turkey in 2001 to helm Zaman as its editor-in-chief. Through his vision and guidance, the newspaper's circulation grew, increasing from 150,000 to a million readers within a decade. Dumanli's influence has not been overlooked. In 2009, he earned a place on a list complied by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre and published by Georgetown University of the world's 500 Most Influential Muslims. Such prominence has come at a price. On December 14, 2014 he was among a number of journalists rounded up in government raids on media outlets. Despite the seriousness of the allegations against him and the dramatic way in which he and his colleagues were taken into custody, five days later he was released due to lack of evidence. I first became aware of the situation after Turkish protesters connected government repression in Turkey with the hash tag "We can't breathe". They were linking their efforts with the Black Lives Matter social media campaign related to the police killings of Eric Garner and Michael Brown in the United States. After his release, I had the opportunity to interview Dumanli with the hopes of shedding further light on what's happening in Turkey with regards to the freedom of the press, state of democracy, and the Hizmet movement. His words reaffirm the need for us to remain vigilante concerning threats to democratic practice both at home and abroad.
January 10, 2015
First purification, next habituation
Begüm Burak
It is not easy for countries like Turkey to internalize democratic norms and principles. First of all, in terms of historical settings and cultural codes, Turkey has never found the solid ground to have a fully fledged democracy. The political elites have paid lip service to democracy and viewed democracy as an "electoral democracy." As we see today, once the political elites have come to power they have adhered to authoritarian practices and curbed freedom and rule of law with the aim to serve their own interests.
It is not easy for countries like Turkey to internalize democratic norms and principles. First of all, in terms of historical settings and cultural codes, Turkey has never found the solid ground to have a fully fledged democracy. The political elites have paid lip service to democracy and viewed democracy as an "electoral democracy." As we see today, once the political elites have come to power they have adhered to authoritarian practices and curbed freedom and rule of law with the aim to serve their own interests.
January 5, 2015
The meaning of this crisis
Ali Bulaç
In the wake of the Dec. 17 and 25 bribery and corruption operations, the faction led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has directed two main accusations at the Hizmet movement: a) that the Hizmet movement has become involved in a plot constructed by foreign powers -- notably, the US and Israel -- with the aim of overthrowing the elected government of Turkey, and b) that the Hizmet movement has gone all the way into people's bedrooms with its wiretaps.
In the wake of the Dec. 17 and 25 bribery and corruption operations, the faction led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has directed two main accusations at the Hizmet movement: a) that the Hizmet movement has become involved in a plot constructed by foreign powers -- notably, the US and Israel -- with the aim of overthrowing the elected government of Turkey, and b) that the Hizmet movement has gone all the way into people's bedrooms with its wiretaps.
Hello Ankara, are you there?
Ali Aslan
Readers of The Washington Post who opened the paper on Friday morning saw an article on the op-ed page titled "Turkey's witch hunt." It was written by Ekrem Dumanlı, the editor-in-chief of the Zaman daily. The editors of the paper wrote in the sub-title that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's media crackdown is tarnishing his nation’s image. A photo of a group of women holding copies of Zaman and Turkish flags in their hands and protesting the Dec. 14 operation against the media also made its way onto the same page. An article by prominent US opinion leader Fareed Zakaria was placed below Dumanlı's article. All the choices of The Washington Post editors with regards to the publication and presentation of Dumanlı's article showed that they gave this article a lot of importance. Why?
Readers of The Washington Post who opened the paper on Friday morning saw an article on the op-ed page titled "Turkey's witch hunt." It was written by Ekrem Dumanlı, the editor-in-chief of the Zaman daily. The editors of the paper wrote in the sub-title that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's media crackdown is tarnishing his nation’s image. A photo of a group of women holding copies of Zaman and Turkish flags in their hands and protesting the Dec. 14 operation against the media also made its way onto the same page. An article by prominent US opinion leader Fareed Zakaria was placed below Dumanlı's article. All the choices of The Washington Post editors with regards to the publication and presentation of Dumanlı's article showed that they gave this article a lot of importance. Why?
January 4, 2015
Civil society will not bow
Şahin Alpay
Turkey is effectively governed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in violation of all the constitutional provisions that define a parliamentary system and a presidential oath that obliges him to maintain political neutrality. Claiming that serious corruption allegations against members of his Cabinet and family were fabricated in a conspiracy to topple his government by what he calls the “parallel state,” meaning the faith-based social movement inspired by Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, he has introduced legislation that has emasculated the rule of law and crippled the independence of the judiciary in order to stifle the graft probe.
Turkey is effectively governed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in violation of all the constitutional provisions that define a parliamentary system and a presidential oath that obliges him to maintain political neutrality. Claiming that serious corruption allegations against members of his Cabinet and family were fabricated in a conspiracy to topple his government by what he calls the “parallel state,” meaning the faith-based social movement inspired by Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, he has introduced legislation that has emasculated the rule of law and crippled the independence of the judiciary in order to stifle the graft probe.
Erdoğan’s abstract enemies: parallel organization and superior mind
Mümtazer Türköne
Totalitarian regimes rely on their ability to manufacture enemies. In his New Year message, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan referred to a host of "external enemies" and "traitors." The ruling party characterizes these traitors as the "parallel organization" and "superior mind." The phrases "parallel state" and "Pennsylvania organization" are used synonymously with the "parallel organization" as well. These phrases offer a comforting luxury. As they are abstract characterizations and no one takes any offense from them, they give Erdoğan and the media outlets at his disposal the opportunity to shadow box.
Totalitarian regimes rely on their ability to manufacture enemies. In his New Year message, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan referred to a host of "external enemies" and "traitors." The ruling party characterizes these traitors as the "parallel organization" and "superior mind." The phrases "parallel state" and "Pennsylvania organization" are used synonymously with the "parallel organization" as well. These phrases offer a comforting luxury. As they are abstract characterizations and no one takes any offense from them, they give Erdoğan and the media outlets at his disposal the opportunity to shadow box.
January 3, 2015
What should we expect from 2015?
Emre Uslu
As you may know, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have been able to postpone the Kurdish settlement process they started in 2009 until after the 2015 elections.
As you may know, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have been able to postpone the Kurdish settlement process they started in 2009 until after the 2015 elections.
January 1, 2015
Forms of Islam: Popular Islam – Hizmet-Gülen Movement and Fethullah Gülen
Graham E. Fuller
Hizmet-Gülen Movement
Traditional Islamic values of piety, social commitment, tolerance, social justice and moderation in Islam find themselves overwhelmed in the current fray of international violence, war, injustice, fanaticism, and daily hardship in the Middle East—a key source of anxiety to most Muslims today. This kind of toxic environment contributes to increased insecurity, desperation, intolerance and radicalism. It is precisely these dangerous trends that the Turkey-based faith movement of Fethullah Gülen today seeks to combat. Gülen’s movement represents the largest, most powerful and influential Islamic movement in the world today that prioritizes the quest for moderation, dialog and modernity in Islam.
Hizmet-Gülen Movement
Traditional Islamic values of piety, social commitment, tolerance, social justice and moderation in Islam find themselves overwhelmed in the current fray of international violence, war, injustice, fanaticism, and daily hardship in the Middle East—a key source of anxiety to most Muslims today. This kind of toxic environment contributes to increased insecurity, desperation, intolerance and radicalism. It is precisely these dangerous trends that the Turkey-based faith movement of Fethullah Gülen today seeks to combat. Gülen’s movement represents the largest, most powerful and influential Islamic movement in the world today that prioritizes the quest for moderation, dialog and modernity in Islam.
December 29, 2014
2014: Towards an “Empire of Fear”
Adem Yavuz Arslan
As another year comes to a close it is customary to sum up the ending one and making projections for the coming.
Sadly, 2014 has been a lost year. The corruption files did away with the AKP’s 12 years in one stroke.
As another year comes to a close it is customary to sum up the ending one and making projections for the coming.
Sadly, 2014 has been a lost year. The corruption files did away with the AKP’s 12 years in one stroke.
December 26, 2014
Gov’t tries to frame Hizmet with secret statements from shady sources
The alleged government-plot against members of the faith-based Hizmet movement, disclosed in June by former Interior Minister İdris Naim Şahin, was further instigated with questionable testimonies obtained from secret witnesses, informants and anonymous complainants leading to criminal prosecutions apparently orchestrated by political authorities.
December 21, 2014
AK Party’s media crackdown exacerbates Turkey’s isolation
As a NATO ally which professes to share NATO's core principles about democracy, human rights and press freedom and as a candidate country for European Union membership, the Turkish government's recent crackdown on opposition media outlets has shocked many outside observers and contributed to the country's isolation and increasing distance from its allies.
December 13, 2014
The parody of dictatorship and silence
Orhan Kemal Cengiz
It is as if we are watching a parody of dictatorship. Either the dictator of this game will show a pathetic indulgence while trying to satisfy his ambitions, or, as we know from the theatrical scene in Orhan Pamuk’s novel “Snow”, the guns we think are loaded with blanks will catch fire and the whole country will slide towards an irreversible state of disaster.
It is as if we are watching a parody of dictatorship. Either the dictator of this game will show a pathetic indulgence while trying to satisfy his ambitions, or, as we know from the theatrical scene in Orhan Pamuk’s novel “Snow”, the guns we think are loaded with blanks will catch fire and the whole country will slide towards an irreversible state of disaster.
November 12, 2014
’Hizmet-PKK collaboration’ rhetoric like the one created by Ergenekon
The pro-government media outlets have recently been churning out news stories that are geared to create the image that the Hizmet movement is collaborating with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
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