According to the state-run Anadolu Agency, former journalist of Zaman columnist Sahin Alpay, was detained at his home early on Wednesday, Zaman, which was linked to Fethullah Gulen’s religious movement, was raided by police and seized by the government in March as part of a crackdown on the group. Strained relations between Berlin and Ankara look set to get a little more so, Deutsche Welle reported Thursday, July 28.
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As a candidate nation for European Union membership, Turkey “needs to aspire to the highest possible democratic standard and practices, including on the freedom of the media”, said European Union spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic. Berlin has also expressed its concern over the series of purges in Turkey following the recent coup attempt.
Some in Turkey, including government ministers, have referred time and again to US involvement in the failed coup, despite vehement denial from Washington.
Australia is on a list of possible countries to which the Muslim cleric who Turkey blames for a failed coup could flee, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag says.
Poposki said he was in favor of the Turkish government’s effort to “get rid of traitors”, describing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as an “excellent leader”.
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in response to Cavusoglu’s demand that Germany was “bound by the rule of law”. “It is inevitable. We don’t want to think about the bad scenarios”, he said. Amnesty International has charged that there is widespread torture in Turkish jails where alleged coup plotters are being held.
