EU LAWMAKERS SLAM TURKEY OVER MEDIA CRACKDOWN

Brussels, 25 Rabi’ul Awwal 1436/16 January 2014 (MINA) – European Union’s parliamentarians have expressed concern about the issue of democracy in Turkey, slamming Ankara over imposing tough restrictions on media and freedom of speech.

Turkey’s acts have “cast serious doubts on the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, and demonstrated an increasing intolerance of political opposition, public protest and critical media,” the lawmakers said in a resolution on Thursday.

Members of the European Parliament also expressed concern about “backsliding in democratic reforms” in Turkey, urging further aid for the country’s independent media and civil society groups, Press Tv quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

The lawmakers questioned Ankara’s commitment to democracy over the Turkish government’s strong response to corruption allegations in the country, lashing out at Turkey’s police for raiding media outlets and arresting journalists.

Turkey plunged into a political crisis after dozens of government officials and prominent businessmen close to then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan were arrested for inquiry on graft charges on December 17, 2013.

The scandal, which turned into a very serious challenge to Erdogan’s rule, led to a cabinet reshuffle.

Erdogan denounced the corruption scandal as well as a string of damaging leaks in the media, saying they were engineered by supporters of his rival, Fethullah Gulen, to undermine his government.

Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the US state of Pennsylvania since 1999, has repeatedly denied any involvement.

Turkish security forces also stormed the offices of Samanyolu TV network and Zaman daily newspaper in the metropolitan and port city of Istanbul on December 14, 2014. Both the television network and the newspaper are said to be close to Gulen.

On December 19, an Istanbul court issued an arrest warrant for the self-exiled US-based cleric. Erdogan was elected as the president of Turkey in August after more than a decade as premier.

Over the past months, the country has adopted a series of controversial laws aimed at tightening Ankara’s control over the judiciary system as well as Internet access. (T/P002/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)