Günal Kurşun
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan previously praised Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen.
December 25, 2014
This burden is too much for Turkey
Cafer Solgun
Nothing would attest more clearly and strikingly to the country President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) are dreaming of establishing than Hidayet Karaca, the head of the Samanyolu Broadcasting Group, and three police officers being arrested with frivolous and fictitious evidence on charges of “being a leader or member of an armed terrorist organization.”
Nothing would attest more clearly and strikingly to the country President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) are dreaming of establishing than Hidayet Karaca, the head of the Samanyolu Broadcasting Group, and three police officers being arrested with frivolous and fictitious evidence on charges of “being a leader or member of an armed terrorist organization.”
Observers: Charging Zaman EIC based on 2 columns, 1 report is ‘unlawful nonsense’
Charging Zaman daily Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı for a crime based on two columns and one report published in his paper is “unlawful nonsense,” according to intellectuals and politicians observing the government-backed media crackdown in which the editor was detained.
December 24, 2014
Gülen says arms, swords have no place in Hizmet’s philosophy
Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has stressed that the idea of pursuing an armed struggle has never had a place in the philosophy of the Hizmet movement.
'Hizmet Movement and Fethullah Gulen inspire uniting people around spiritual ideals'
Fikir Atlasi*, Episode 23 (Full text)
My name is Dr. Gerald Grudzen. I live here in San Jose; I’ve lived here for over 30 years now and I teach at San Jose City College and Gavilan College and online for the University of Phoenix.
My name is Dr. Gerald Grudzen. I live here in San Jose; I’ve lived here for over 30 years now and I teach at San Jose City College and Gavilan College and online for the University of Phoenix.
Journalists and Writers Foundation's statement [on arrest warrant issued for Mr. Gulen]
Journalists and Writers Foundation
It is a well-known fact that then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had sent Bülent Arınç to Mr. Fethullah Gülen to give him the message, "We are ready to do anything you want us to do," and that he had called on Mr. Gülen to return to the country to "put an end to homesickness" in the witness of tens of thousands of spectators in a stadium.
It is a well-known fact that then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had sent Bülent Arınç to Mr. Fethullah Gülen to give him the message, "We are ready to do anything you want us to do," and that he had called on Mr. Gülen to return to the country to "put an end to homesickness" in the witness of tens of thousands of spectators in a stadium.
GYV says arrest warrant for Gülen motivated by upcoming election
The Journalists and Writers Foundation's (GYV), of which Fethullah Gülen is the honorary president, issued a statement on Wednesday slamming the government-orchestrated arrest warrant for Gülen as a government election tactic.
US law professor: Gülen extradition would be unlawful
Seval Yıldırım, a professor of law at Whittier Law School, said in a statement to Today's Zaman on Wednesday that for the US to extradite Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen without a formal case against him would be an infringement of US law.
Dumanlı: Dec. 14 will be remembered as day of coup against free press
Ekrem Dumanlı, the editor-in-chief of the Zaman daily, has said the Dec. 14 operation against Turkey's best-selling daily and a major TV station has gone down in history as a coup against press freedom, in an interview with the Samanyolu Haber TV channel on Tuesday.
Editor-in-Chief Dumanlı’s court defense shoots down baseless allegations
In his defense before the judge hearing his case, Zaman daily Editor-in-chief Ekrem Dumanlı asked whether the only evidence leading to his detention is a number articles published in Zaman, revealing his belief that he was detained on the basis of spurious accusations -- an opinion corroborated by the court's decision to release him pending trial.
Dumanlı: Am I being blamed for 2 columns, report? Judge: Yes
The editor-in-chief of Turkey's best-selling Zaman daily, who was briefly detained last week, can be heard laughing off what he calls “ridiculous” allegations against him in newly leaked footage and he even tells his attorneys that he is ready to defend himself if he is accused of wrongdoing regarding two columns and one news report.
Erdoğan’s judges and extraditing Gülen
İhsan Yılmaz
In the wake of the graft and bribery scandals that went public on Dec. 17 and 25, 2013, resulting in the resignation of four ministers who were implicated in the scandals, then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan publicly smeared Fethullah Gülen, calling him a terrorist, without any evidence and despite the fact that he highly praised him in the past. Now he is trying to issue an Interpol “Red Notice” against Gülen.
In the wake of the graft and bribery scandals that went public on Dec. 17 and 25, 2013, resulting in the resignation of four ministers who were implicated in the scandals, then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan publicly smeared Fethullah Gülen, calling him a terrorist, without any evidence and despite the fact that he highly praised him in the past. Now he is trying to issue an Interpol “Red Notice” against Gülen.
Davutoğlu twists facts on media crackdown, reveals gov’t had prior knowledge
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu continued to twist facts regarding an unprecedented crackdown on the independent and critical media in Turkey, claiming that no journalists were detained in their homes and admitting the government prepped for public relations damage control in advance of the raids.
December 23, 2014
An outcry by intellectuals
Bülent Keneş
"Every cloud has a silver lining." Sometimes we are so focused on the negative incidents in our lives that we might fail to see the good developments that may be ushered in by those incidents. Yet, the world and life consists of darkness and light, black and white, good and evil, each intertwined and the cause or the result of each other, aren't they?
"Every cloud has a silver lining." Sometimes we are so focused on the negative incidents in our lives that we might fail to see the good developments that may be ushered in by those incidents. Yet, the world and life consists of darkness and light, black and white, good and evil, each intertwined and the cause or the result of each other, aren't they?
On the high seas of non-precious loneliness
Ali Aslan
Those who seek prestige in luxury palaces rather than democracy have experienced great shame this week. The repressive circles which secured a decision for the arrest of Hidayet Karaca, head of Samanyolu Broadcast Group, and the detention of Ekrem Dumanlı, editor-in-chief of the Zaman daily, for five days, have disgraced themselves. They are now left lonely in the world; the international community and the media extend overwhelming support to the honorable and peaceful struggle by their targets.
Those who seek prestige in luxury palaces rather than democracy have experienced great shame this week. The repressive circles which secured a decision for the arrest of Hidayet Karaca, head of Samanyolu Broadcast Group, and the detention of Ekrem Dumanlı, editor-in-chief of the Zaman daily, for five days, have disgraced themselves. They are now left lonely in the world; the international community and the media extend overwhelming support to the honorable and peaceful struggle by their targets.
Investigations of Gülen are like barometer for coup d’etat
Bülent Korucu
It has become clear with the arrest warrant issued by a court for Fethullah Gülen, a Turkish Islamic scholar, that he is the real target of the coup operation against the media.
It has become clear with the arrest warrant issued by a court for Fethullah Gülen, a Turkish Islamic scholar, that he is the real target of the coup operation against the media.
Gülen’s attorney: Media speculation about extradition not true
The lawyer of Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen said in a statement on Monday that the speculation in the media regarding the extradition of his client is far from the truth and that the extradition request itself is unlawful.
Afghan education minister pledges to open more Turkish schools
The Afghan education minister pledged to increase the number of Turkish-Afghan schools in Afghanistan, opening at least a school in each province as an educational role model.
GYV President Yeşil: Judiciary under full control of executive is threat to freedom
Mustafa Yeşil, the president of the Journalists and Writers Foundation's (GYV), said in a TV interview on Monday evening that the reshuffling of prosecutors and judges after the Dec. 17 and 25, 2013 corruption operations created a judiciary under the full control of the executive power, which threatens freedoms.
Asharq al-Awsat: Turkey’s democracy on deathbed for two years
Asharq al-Awsat, one of the most influential papers in the Arab world, has featured the Dec. 14 police operations against independent media in Turkey with the headline “Democracy in Turkey on its deathbed for two years.”
Disputed report in Turkish media takes aim at both Egypt and Erdogan foe
The Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah reported Saturday that a Cairo school affiliated with the Gülenist movement was raided by Egyptian police. However a statement from the school’s director to Daily News Egypt refutes the accusations and the Turkish Embassy maintains they are not aware of the event.
Turkish foreign relations harmed by Erdogan's domestic moves
Before ending up as the victor of last August's presidential race, Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to increase the powers of the Turkish head of state. But the borderline between boosting authorities and maintaining an authoritarian leadership style is not fully clear. Erdogan spent more than ten years as a prime minister and head of the ruling Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Where is Turkey heading to?
Haluk Özdalga*
The Dec. 14 operation, where a number of police officers and media workers including the Zaman daily's Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı and STV Broadcasting Group Chair Hidayet Karaca were placed under detention was conducted under the supervision of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) administration. The current state of affairs represents a new stage for the regime, which has been in decline for a while. This stage reveals that the current regime has lost its democratic legitimacy. Elections, freedom of expression and supremacy of the law are the three main elements of a democratic order. A regime lacking one of these three main principles cannot properly be called a democracy.
The Dec. 14 operation, where a number of police officers and media workers including the Zaman daily's Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı and STV Broadcasting Group Chair Hidayet Karaca were placed under detention was conducted under the supervision of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) administration. The current state of affairs represents a new stage for the regime, which has been in decline for a while. This stage reveals that the current regime has lost its democratic legitimacy. Elections, freedom of expression and supremacy of the law are the three main elements of a democratic order. A regime lacking one of these three main principles cannot properly be called a democracy.
December 22, 2014
The news media crackdown in Turkey threatens democracy
The Washington Post Editorial Board
AUTOCRATS OFTEN feel compelled to invent pretexts, no matter how unconvincing, for crushing their opponents. In the latest round of attacks on the news media in Turkey, warrants were issued for the arrest of journalists in which it was stated they are suspected of nefarious deeds, such as plotting “to seize state power” or forming an armed organization to support terrorists. These trumped-up claims are intended to divert attention from a crackdown by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his critics and rivals. At stake is Turkey’s democracy.
AUTOCRATS OFTEN feel compelled to invent pretexts, no matter how unconvincing, for crushing their opponents. In the latest round of attacks on the news media in Turkey, warrants were issued for the arrest of journalists in which it was stated they are suspected of nefarious deeds, such as plotting “to seize state power” or forming an armed organization to support terrorists. These trumped-up claims are intended to divert attention from a crackdown by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his critics and rivals. At stake is Turkey’s democracy.
Zaman Editorial Board: No retreat from democracy
The Zaman daily, whose Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı was detained and then released as part of a government-backed police operation against the Turkish media and several police officers on Dec. 14, has released a statement on his newspaper's front page on Sunday, in which the paper expressed full support for Turkey's democracy and promised that there will be no turning back from from it.
Gülen says abusive language to cover up sins is hypocrisy
Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has strongly criticized abusive language and remarks within pro-government circles insulting members of the Hizmet movement, saying this kind of behavior is hypocritical and is being employed to cover up their own sins.
Meaning and consequences of Dec. 14 operation
Cafer Solgun
The Dec. 17 operation clearly indicates where the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has taken Turkey so far.
The Dec. 17 operation clearly indicates where the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has taken Turkey so far.
The case of jailed journalist Hidayet Karaca
Abdullah Bozkurt
The jailing of Turkey's top national TV network manager using trumped-up and abusive anti-terror charges because his station aired a popular fictional TV series that delegitimized terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda, is the latest in a series of draconian measures adopted by the authoritarian regime to strangle critical and independent media in Turkey, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member and European Union (EU) candidate country.
The jailing of Turkey's top national TV network manager using trumped-up and abusive anti-terror charges because his station aired a popular fictional TV series that delegitimized terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda, is the latest in a series of draconian measures adopted by the authoritarian regime to strangle critical and independent media in Turkey, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member and European Union (EU) candidate country.
[News Analysis] Recent series of legal changes prove a plot against journalists
Hanım Büşra Erdal
The Dec. 14 police operation targeting the media, one of the most significant attacks on the Turkish media, had long been planned given the developments in recent years and the statements made by politicians as well as changes made in legislation to allow the detention of journalists.
The Dec. 14 police operation targeting the media, one of the most significant attacks on the Turkish media, had long been planned given the developments in recent years and the statements made by politicians as well as changes made in legislation to allow the detention of journalists.
Who is a terrorist?
Ekrem Dumanlı
The world was redesigned after the Sept. 11 attacks. Thousands of people died in the terror attack in New York, and all the Muslims in the world were held responsible; Islam was associated with terror after these attacks and all Muslims were considered potential terrorists. Of course, I am not talking about the formation of such a negative image overnight.
The world was redesigned after the Sept. 11 attacks. Thousands of people died in the terror attack in New York, and all the Muslims in the world were held responsible; Islam was associated with terror after these attacks and all Muslims were considered potential terrorists. Of course, I am not talking about the formation of such a negative image overnight.
Accusing the Hizmet Movement of terror while backing al-Qaeda linked groups
Erhan Başyurt
The Dec. 14 operation is a blow inflicted on media freedom, law and our democracy. At the same time, it is an operation that is meant to ruin Turkey’s international credibility and reliability.
The Dec. 14 operation is a blow inflicted on media freedom, law and our democracy. At the same time, it is an operation that is meant to ruin Turkey’s international credibility and reliability.
Pro-government media vindicates ISIL member
Emre Uslu
The Justice and Development Party (AKP) government has taken its fight against the Gülen movement, inspired by Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, to the next level. So far, the government and its media outlets have accused the Gülen movement of victimizing the military, civilian bureaucrats and business circles. Over the last year, they found people to speak against the Gülen movement. However, those who have spoken against the Gülen movement are all shadowy figures, such as the owner of the Metro coach company (Metro Turizm), well-known for their criminal activities, mafia relations and other wrongdoings.
The Justice and Development Party (AKP) government has taken its fight against the Gülen movement, inspired by Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, to the next level. So far, the government and its media outlets have accused the Gülen movement of victimizing the military, civilian bureaucrats and business circles. Over the last year, they found people to speak against the Gülen movement. However, those who have spoken against the Gülen movement are all shadowy figures, such as the owner of the Metro coach company (Metro Turizm), well-known for their criminal activities, mafia relations and other wrongdoings.
Brave New Turkey
Andrew Finkel
Freedom House, the democracy watchdog, earlier this year downgraded the Turkish press from being “partly free” to “not free.” Now it may have to create a new category: “not free at all.”
Freedom House, the democracy watchdog, earlier this year downgraded the Turkish press from being “partly free” to “not free.” Now it may have to create a new category: “not free at all.”
US congressmen write to Obama, criticize media crackdown in Turkey
A number of members of the US Congress have condemned the Turkish government's crackdown on the media by sending letters to US President Barack Obama to express their disapproval of Turkey's shift to an anti-democratic path.
HRW: Karaca’s arrest harms media freedom, Turkey’s reputation
International advocacy group Human Rights Watch (HRW) senior Turkey researcher Emma Sinclair-Webb has said the HRW is concerned about the recent arrest of Hidayet Karaca, the general manager of Samanyolu TV, adding that the arrest damages press freedom in Turkey as well as the country's reputation.
Crackdown on Turkish media protested around the world
The Turkish government's recent crackdown on media targeting critical journalists has been met by a number of protests outside the country.
Threat to media
Nazlı Ilıcak
To save himself, after police operations into corruption that were revealed on Dec. 17 and 25 of last year President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan decided to target the Gülen movement. In other words, he relied on the same methods and tactics seen in the days of Ergenekon and Balyoz.
To save himself, after police operations into corruption that were revealed on Dec. 17 and 25 of last year President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan decided to target the Gülen movement. In other words, he relied on the same methods and tactics seen in the days of Ergenekon and Balyoz.
Destici: Silencing free media means silencing opposition
Grand Unity Party (BBP) leader Mustafa Destici highlighted the threat opposition parties face when freedom of the press is silenced, during his visit to Zaman Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı on Sunday.
Red notice for Gülen would allow world to learn of Turkey’s judicial disgrace
Ahmet Gündel*
As part of an investigation launched on Dec. 14 by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against figures affiliated with the faith-based Hizmet movement, the prosecutor in question petitioned the İstanbul 1st Penal Court of Peace and asked it to issue an arrest warrant for Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, who resides in the US state of Pennsylvania with permanent resident status. The prosecutor's request was approved and the court issued an arrest warrant for Gülen.
As part of an investigation launched on Dec. 14 by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against figures affiliated with the faith-based Hizmet movement, the prosecutor in question petitioned the İstanbul 1st Penal Court of Peace and asked it to issue an arrest warrant for Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, who resides in the US state of Pennsylvania with permanent resident status. The prosecutor's request was approved and the court issued an arrest warrant for Gülen.
Extradition request for Gülen 'legally baseless'
The lawyer of Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen made a statement on Monday about the “arrest warrant” issued by a Turkish court for Gülen, saying that extradition request has no legal bases.
Arrest warrant insufficient to extradite Gülen as int’l law calls for solid evidence
A court has issued an arrest warrant for Fethullah Gülen and requested that the scholar be extradited from the United States, which is seen as a step towards an Interpol Red Notice and ultimately extradition from the US, but US law requires that the crime be recognized in both country's jurisdictions and that the offense not be political in nature.
‘Arrest warrant’ issued for Gülen under article cancelled in 2012
Nurullah Albayrak, the lawyer of Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, expressed the “arrest warrant” issued for Gülen under Turkish Penal Code (TCK) Article, was cancelled by the Constitutional Court (AYM) in 2012.
December 21, 2014
Who is Fethullah Gülen?
Şahin Alpay
The leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, rightly called it “a coup against democracy” when Zaman Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı and STV network executive Hidayet Karaca, together with a number of screenwriters and television producers, were detained on Dec. 14 on the incredible charges of founding or belonging to “an armed terrorist organization aiming to seize the sovereignty of the state.”
The leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, rightly called it “a coup against democracy” when Zaman Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı and STV network executive Hidayet Karaca, together with a number of screenwriters and television producers, were detained on Dec. 14 on the incredible charges of founding or belonging to “an armed terrorist organization aiming to seize the sovereignty of the state.”
Turkey’s structural democratic deficit
Ömer Taşpınar
In times like this, when there is a growing sense of despair about the future of liberal democracy in Turkey, it is important to take a long-term view and calmly reflect on how the country will weather the current developments.
In times like this, when there is a growing sense of despair about the future of liberal democracy in Turkey, it is important to take a long-term view and calmly reflect on how the country will weather the current developments.
Bigger picture
Bülent Keneş
Turkey is moving headlong towards disaster. Having turned into a full-fledged dictator, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has taken under his control not only the fundaments of democracy such as the executive, the legislature and the media, but the judiciary as well.
Turkey is moving headlong towards disaster. Having turned into a full-fledged dictator, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has taken under his control not only the fundaments of democracy such as the executive, the legislature and the media, but the judiciary as well.
Embattled Turkish cleric's influence felt in Tulsa
Fethullah Gulen is not exactly a household name in Tulsa.
But the influence of the Turkish Muslim cleric — who is living in self-imposed exile in the United States — is felt here and in cities around the world.
But the influence of the Turkish Muslim cleric — who is living in self-imposed exile in the United States — is felt here and in cities around the world.
The new Turkey: tyranny and oppression
Amanda Paul
Today, the words dictatorship and authoritarian rule are becoming increasingly popular both inside and outside Turkey when referring to its leadership. Why has this happened? The answer is simple -- President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his new order and new rules of governance.
Today, the words dictatorship and authoritarian rule are becoming increasingly popular both inside and outside Turkey when referring to its leadership. Why has this happened? The answer is simple -- President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his new order and new rules of governance.
‘Reasonable suspicion’ paves way for crackdown on media
The recent detainment of managers from two of Turkey's leading media outlets following the enactment of a law that allows the judiciary to issue arrest warrants based only on “reasonable suspicion” of wrongdoing is a sign that the government -- hard-pressed by allegations of corruption -- will use the law to repress the media and dissidents.
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.
Gov’t raids imperil Turkey’s vibrant TV industry
The detainment of media personnel, including journalists and even screenwriters, on charges of attempting to overthrow the Turkish government by broadcasting soap operas and publishing news articles constitutes a move that does not bode well for Turkey's flourishing TV industry.
December 20, 2014
’Arrest warrant for Gülen to damage Turkey’s reputation in the world’
Alliance for Shared Values, a non-profit group that serves as a voice for dialogue organizations affiliated with the Hizmet in the US has released a press statement about an arrest warrant issued by a Turkish court for Fethullah Gülen, saying it will damage Turkey’s reputation in the world.
An operation that disgraces Turkey before the world
Abdülhamit Bilici
The famous politician Daniel Cohn-Bendit, also known as Red Danny, who has played a crucial role in the history of human rights activism, held high expectations about our country a decade ago. He was one of the most ardent supporters of Turkey's membership in the European Union, describing Turkey as the “Bosporus miracle.”
The famous politician Daniel Cohn-Bendit, also known as Red Danny, who has played a crucial role in the history of human rights activism, held high expectations about our country a decade ago. He was one of the most ardent supporters of Turkey's membership in the European Union, describing Turkey as the “Bosporus miracle.”
Editor-in-Chief Dumanlı returns to Zaman HQs after release
Zaman daily Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı arrived at the daily's headquarters in Yenibosna on Saturday after having been released pending trial in a government-orchestrated police operation.
US Congressional caucus condemns Turkey media crackdown as ’assault on democracy’
US Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans have slammed the Turkish government for going after what it said "perceived dissent," calling on Turkish authorities to immediately release journalists who have been detained.
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