Are Turkey’s Prisoners Hostages?


Date posted: November 16, 2016

Michael Rubin

Rumors have circulated throughout Turkey that, under the guise of averting a prison riot, Erdogan might order his forces to fire on the prisons. It is not a scenario beyond the realm of possibility; after all, the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi did something similar, killing more than 1,000 political prisoners.

Now, it seems, that members of Erdogan’s ruling party are making explicit the threat to kill prisoners. Hüseyin Kocabiyik, a member of parliament, tweeted that if there is any assassination attempt on Erdogan (an event that is certainly in the realm of possibility) the result would be the slaughter of the prisoners by forces loyal to Erdogan.

The case against the political prisoners was tenuous at best: No one beyond Turkey’s leader believes 100,000+ people were involved in a secret coup attempt. Their imprisonment—and increasing reports of torture in prison—make clear the purpose is vengeance for the sin of opposing Erdogan’s agenda. That one of Erdogan’s party colleagues now suggests their murder should raise concerns not only in Turkey but across the region. Responsible NATO members should not hold hostages.

Source: Commentary Magazine , November 15, 2016


Related News

Turkey’s post-coup brain drain

Bekir Cinar was working as an assistant professor at the political sciences department of Suleyman Sah University when it fell victim to the crackdown. He says that many academics with different views were working at the university. Cinar is currently continuing his scientific work at a British university. He considers this a major loss for Turkey, not least because it takes 20 to 30 years to become an academic.

Gülen to file lawsuit against PM Erdoğan over defamation campaign

Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen plans to file a lawsuit against Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for an endless smear campaign and slander, accusing Erdoğan of pursuing a concerted effort to foment animosity and hatred in society through the use of hate speech in rallies, meetings and TV interviews, Gülen’s lawyer said late on Friday.

THY passengers strongly criticize embargo on Today’s Zaman

Turkey’s flagship carrier Turkish Airlines began an embargo on Dec. 23, 2013 on the distribution of the newspapers Zaman, Today’s Zaman, Bugün and Ortadoğu to business class passengers on its planes, without providing an explanation. Other dailies are still being handed out on board.

A Turkish coup, a family torn apart, a dramatic escape on foot: ‘Can you believe the things we went through?’

She could stay in Turkey where she might end up imprisoned, at risk of torture and sexual assault, and separated from her young children. Or she could take them on a dangerous journey, with no guarantee of survival.

Offensive launched against Hizmet-affiliated schools in Antalya

The Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, which earlier changed the zoning plans of schools in the province affiliated with the faith-based Hizmet movement in compliance with a call made by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in June, is to make a final decision on the fate of the schools following deliberation by the municipal commission on zoning and public works.

Swoboda accuses Erdoğan of using Hizmet movement as a pretext

Socialist leader Hannes Swoboda asked “You were still supporting the Hizmet movement a year ago. Now you use the movement as an excuse for halting reforms. Why do you see them as a danger to Turkey now?”
Sources said Swoboda made it very clear that the EU was very concerned about the state of the rule of law in Turkey. “We are very concerned about the rule of law and the separation of powers, especially the independence of the judiciary,” he stressed.

Latest News

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

University refuses admission to woman jailed over Gülen links

In Case You Missed It

Hakan in Turkey, Sukur in Africa!

French court punishes death threats, attacks against Gülen sympathizers

Atlantic Institute promotes peace through dialogue

Gülen appeals for steadfastness against gov’t ban on prep schools [in Turkey]

Woman gave birth while in detention, handcuffed to bed by police

Halki, pope, patriarch and Gülen

Rainer Hermann interviews Fethullah Gulen – Do good and let it unfold

Copyright 2024 Hizmet News