Erdogan cracks down on media
ankara — Turkish authorities on Monday issued arrest warrants for over 40 journalists in a new phase of a controversial legal crackdown after the failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that has alarmed the West.
With Erdogan seeking to rally national cross-party support for his rule 10 days after defeating the attempted putsch, he hosted two top opposition leaders for an unprecedented meeting at his presidential palace.
Over 13,000 people have been detained so far in a vast sweep in the wake of the July 15 military coup bid, which the authorities blame on the reclusive US-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen.
The crackdown has raised tensions with the European Union, further hampering Ankara’s stalled membership bid, while a potential diplomatic crisis with Washington is looming if the United States refuses to extradite Gulen to Turkey, a fellow Nato member.
Istanbul anti-terror prosecutors issued arrest warrants for 42 journalists as part of the coup investigation, the state-run Anadolu news agency said.
Among those targeted were prominent journalist Nazli Ilicak, who was fired from the pro-government Sabah daily in 2013 for criticising ministers caught up in a corruption scandal, it added.
Five people have been detained so far although 11 of the suspects are believed to already be outside the country, the Dogan news agency said.
Other prominent journalists hit with warrants include commentator Bulent Mumay and news editor of Fox TV in Turkey, Ercan Gun.
Erdogan’s government had been under fire even before the failed putsch for restricting press freedoms, accusations the authorities strongly deny.
The French foreign ministry said Turkey’s response to the coup “should not compromise the rule of law and fundamental liberties like freedom of the press”.
In new raids on Monday, police detained some 40 people at the army’s military academy in Istanbul. — AFP
Turkey’s political crisis could lead to chaos as reports of a putsch against coup plotters continue to pour in. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s alleged crackdown against opponents does not bode well for its secular democracy. Reports say tens of thousands have been rounded up, and these include members of the judiciary, police, media and the military. The Presidential Guard has been disbanded fearing infiltration of pro-coup members. Even teachers and civil servants are being screened. This so-called cleansing operation is having a negative impact on civil society. The middle class provided the bulwark of support for the AK Party, but they too are not being spared. No section and class is beyond suspicion. Exiled cleric Fetullah Gulen has been blamed by the government. Though Ankara hasn’t officially asked Washington to extradite Gulen, his case is being used more for domestic consumption to sideline opponents. What will Erdogan do next is anyone’s guess.
It is feared that Turkey could slide into anarchy as a state of emergency is in force and fundamental rights have been put on the backburner. Erdogan’s desire to re-legislate capital punishment will hurt its chances of European Union membership. On Monday, 42 journalists were detained, and efforts have been renewed to muzzle the Press. London-based Amnesty International has said that there are “credible evidences” of detainees being subjected to beatings and torture, including rape. This is serious allegation, and Turkish authorities should come clean on it. Statesmanship is needed in this hour of crisis. Those involved in the coup should be tried by courts of law. Human rights should be upheld. Meanwhile, Erdogan should focus on reconciliation, reach out to the masses, while restoring investor and global confidence in the country.