Special to WorldTribune.com In a case seen as a test of press freedom under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish government has prohibited the media from covering the trial of two journalists who face possible life terms for espionage charges. Can Dundar, editor-in-chief of leading opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet, and Erdem Gul, his Ankara bureau chief, […]
Special to WorldTribune.com Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) is set to return to power after the Nov. 1 elections. With 90 percent of the ballots counted, the AKP had 49.9 percent of the vote and is expected to take the 276 seats in parliament needed for the party to form […]
Special to WorldTribune.com ANKARA — Turkey, fresh from the election of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has resumed its purge of police linked to the opposition. Officials said nearly 40 police officers were arrested on Sept. 1 and charged with espionage as well as plotting to overthrow the Erdogan government. The officials said the officers included […]
Special to WorldTribune.com ANKARA — Turkey has acknowledged massive wiretapping of its citizens. Officials said hundreds of thousands of Turks were under surveillance by the intelligence community. They said at least 250,000 people per year were targeted by wiretaps, including phone calls, e-mails and faxes. “These numbers have gotten out of hand,” Turkish Defense Minister […]
Special to WorldTribune.com ANKARA — Turkey has targeted an Al Qaida-linked charity supported by the ruling Justice and Development Party. On Jan. 14, Turkish security forces raided offices and homes aligned to the Humanitarian Relief Foundation, the largest non-governmental organization in the country. The raid, which netted 23 suspects, was depicted as an unauthorized operation, […]