Hundreds of HDP executives detained as death toll reaches 44 in the latest Istanbul bombed attack….

  HDP Executives Detained in Simultaneous Operations 118 people from the HDP have been detained during operations launched against HDP’s provincial and district executives in İstanbul, Ankara, Adana, Manisa and Mersin. HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş suffers heart spasm in prison: MP Bilgen Peoples’ Democratic Party’s (HDP) Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş suffered a heart spasm in jail on Dec. … Read more

In the mean time, “European judiciary network votes to suspend observer status of Turkey’s HSYK…

European judiciary network votes to suspend observer status of Turkey’s HSYK The European Network of Councils for the Judiciary (ENCJ) on Dec. 8 decided to suspend the observer status of the Turkish High Council for Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK), citing concerns that the body is no longer sufficiently independent from the state’s executive and legislature branches. … Read more

Diyanet, Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate, claimed gathering intelligence on suspected Gülenists via imams in 38 countries…

  One-year halt in Turkey, Russia ties ‘over’: Turkish PM A year-long hiatus in relations between Russia and Turkey is over, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said Dec. 6 in his first visit to Moscow as prime minister Diyanet gathers intelligence on suspected Gülenists via imams in 38 countries Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) has gathered … Read more

Erdoğan’s latest remarks on Turkish military operations in Syria confuses Russians…

Turkey entered Syria to end al-Assad’s rule: President Erdoğan President Erdoğan admits that Turkey crossed into Syria to get rid of President Bashar al-Assad having previously highlighted the fight against ISIL Erdoğan’s remarks on Turkish operation ‘to end al-Assad rule’ to be discussed during Lavrov visit  President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent assertion that the Turkish military operation … Read more

EFD Rights Watch: Tahir Elçi remembered…

Killing of Diyarbakır bar head Tahir Elçi becoming unsolved murder, widow says The killing of Tahir Elçi, the Diyarbakır Bar Association head who was killed in an armed clash in November 2015 in Diyarbakır, is becoming an unsolved murder, his wife has said, as she commemorated the first year of her husband’s death. Only Power Rules: Turkey After … Read more

Turkey continues to imprison novelist Erdoğan, linguist Alpay…

Novelist Erdoğan, linguist Alpay arrested over Özgür Gündem probe to remain in prison An Istanbul court on Nov. 23 ordered the release of imprisoned novelist Aslı Erdoğan and linguist Necmiye Alpay on one charge but ruled for the continuation of their arrest on another charge Alpay, Erdoğan Released of One of Charges, Further Arrested on the Other … Read more

Erdoğan says Turkey may join Shanghai Five, China and Russia seem to be positive about that…

Turkey’s retreat from the West continues… President Erdoğan: EU not everything, Turkey may join Shanghai Five Turkey should not be “fixated” on the idea of joining the European Union and should look at other opportunities, such as the Russia-led Shanghai Pact, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said China says it would consider Turkey membership of Shanghai bloc … Read more

Document: UN Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression to his visit to Turkey, 14-18 November 2016…

Preliminary conclusions and observations by the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression to his visit to Turkey, 14-18 November 2016 ohchr.org   ANKARA (18 November 2016) – At the invitation of the Government, I spent this week in Turkey to examine the protection and promotion of the freedom of … Read more

EDRI Statement: “State of emergency worsens digital crackdown in Turkey”

Turkey’s Free Press Withers Under Erdogan’s Crackdown New York Times – Rod Nordland – Nov 17, 2:40 AM The jailings are the most obvious example of an effort to muzzle not just the free press, but free speech generally. More than 3,000 Turks have faced charges for insulting the president, including a former Miss Turkey, … Read more

Turkish officials refuse to meet two senior MEPs (@ElmarBrok_MEP @KatiPiri) over post-coup crackdown criticism; their Turkey trip postponed…

MEPs cancel Turkey trip as relations sour  EUobserver.com – Headline News Turkish officials refuse to meet two senior MEPs, as diplomatic relations continue to deteriorate over Ankara’s post-coup crackdown. Euro MPs cancel Turkey trip over coup criticism EurActiv.com by Georgi Gotev Top EU lawmakers yesterday (16 November) cancelled a visit to Turkey after Ankara refused to see … Read more

Not only the Gülen case, Turkey is also interested in Zarrab case, demanding his release…

  Turkish justice minister asks US Attorney General to release Zarrab A top Turkish government official recently met with Attorney General Loretta Lynch and told her the prosecution of Turkish-Iranian businessman Reza Zarrab was “based on no evidence,” according to a court filing unsealed on Nov. 15. Turkish President Erdoğan blasts foreign media outlets at TRT World … Read more

Best defense is a good offense: “Turkey ‘fed up with’ EU’s arrogant attitude”

Turkey ‘fed up with’ EU’s arrogant attitude Ankara expresses its irritation at the EU’s attitude toward Turkey, saying it will go to the people to decide on the future of relations Erdoğan hits back at Schulz, hints at Turkish referendum on EU membership bid President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has blasted European Parliament President Martin Schulz over his … Read more

EFD Rights Watch: Turkey rated ‘not free’ [Again] in internet freedom in new Freedom House report…

Report here Turkey rated ‘not free’ in internet freedom in new Freedom House report Internet freedom in Turkey has been rated “not free” in the latest annual report by the Washington-based watchdog Freedom House, a downgrade from its “party free” status last year Message of Solidarity From Margaret Atwood to Aslı Erdoğan on PEN’s Day of The … Read more

Istanbul’s 12 historical second-hand bookstores. Istanbul news roundup…

List of bookstores with photos. The text is in Turkish.  *********** Will Istanbul’s historic restaurant rise from its ashes again? One of Istanbul’s iconic names, the 115-year-old famous Pandeli Restaurant situated in the Spice Bazaar has been closed for the last three months.   Istanbul Photo Awards Istanbul Photo Awards Liu Heung Shing, Photojournalist founder of Shanghai Center … Read more

“Turkish lira hits lowest level since at least 1981”

  Turkish lira hits lowest level since at least 1981 ft.com Subscribe to read: Turkish lira hits lowest level since at least 1981 Already a subscriber? Sign in here Free delivery to your home or office, Monday to Saturday FT Weekend – a stimulating blend of news and lifestyle Unlimited access to all content What … Read more