Witch hunt spreads to courthouse


Date posted: May 13, 2014

ANKARA

The government’s systematic purge of members of the police force after the corruption scandal that became public on Dec. 17, 2013 has now spread to other state institutions, as 200 administrative personnel at the Ankara Courthouse have been reassigned on the grounds that they are members of the “parallel structure.”

Another sweeping purge operation was carried out after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ordered the profiling of people, on the assumption that sympathizers of the Hizmet movement within the bureaucracy are members of this “parallel state,” in his address to Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputies in the province of Afyon on Sunday.

In the latest massive purge operation, a number of judges, prosecutors and even those who served tea and coffee were removed from their posts and reassigned to several other provinces of Turkey on the grounds that they have connections to the “parallel structure.”

Ankara Chief Prosecutor Fethi Şimşek’s secretary was among those who were purged. Prosecutor Şimşek had not been informed of the decision in advance, reports said.

Erdoğan’s government is continuing to harass his opponents, especially people and companies affiliated with the Hizmet movement, inspired by Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, for their critical stance against the corruption that has implicated senior government officials.

16,000 prosecutors, judges and administrative personnel have been removed from their posts so far in a series of massive purges.

 

Source: Todays Zaman , May 12, 2014

Tags: | |


Related News

Islamic scholar Gülen urges followers to remain calm in face of insults

Fethullah Gülen, the inspiration behind the Hizmet movement, which Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continues to insult and target with a smear campaign, threatening to pursue criminal proceeding against it, has urged his followers to remain calm and avoid making inflammatory remarks about those who appeal to insults.

When lawlessness becomes a way of life

Erdogan also accused the movement of being behind several recent audio recordings posted on various social media networks that disclosed several conversations allegedly between himself and his son Bilal Erdoğan discussing how to get rid of large sums of money cached in their homes and those of their relatives.

EP says Erdoğan’s ‘treason’ accusation ‘totally unacceptable’

Two of the most senior politicians of the European Parliament (EP) have strongly criticized Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s “treason” remarks against the Taraf daily and its reporter Mehmet Baransu, calling the prime minister’s comments unacceptable. Hannes Swoboda, the leader of the second-largest group in the EP, said he was “gravely concerned” by Erdoğan’s remarks and the subsequent cases filed against the daily and its reporter Baransu.

“They won’t believe,” he said

AHMET KURUCAN “They won’t believe,” he said. “They won’t believe that we work for peace and the salvation of humanity. They won’t believe that we endeavor to create an island of peace where all of humanity can live in brotherhood. They won’t believe that you do not have expectations for this world or the next. […]

CHP submits parliamentary question on anti-Hizmet plot

The probe in question accuses the movement of working to overthrow the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government and possessing arms intended to be used to this end, among other fictitious and unsubstantiated claims.

Somali denies allegations that ‘aid supplies did not reach camp’

The claim was also denied by the person in charge of the camp, Ibrahim Abdinur Muhammed, demonstrating that defamatory activities are being conducted by pro-government media outlets against Hizmet movement.
Muhammed said the organization had helped 450 families living in the camp and that it continues to send assistance to the camps in six other locations in Somali in the form of health and food supplies and clothing as well as education tools.

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

8-year-old cancer patient departs to Germany for treatment without parents due to ongoing travel ban

Clash of two Islams in Turkey

Lawyer put behind bars along with 3-month-old baby

Think Twice on Turkey: Erdogan’s Purges Are a Warning to Washington

‘Who do you like most, Erdoğan or Gülen?’ Turkish teacher asks primary school students

Gov’t keeps purging, dozens of police officials across Turkey have been removed

Erdogan’s diplomats have become ‘Gulenist-busters’

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News