Turkish Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen is pictured at his residence in Saylorsburg, Pa. Gulen is charged in Turkey with plotting to overthrow the government in a case his supporters call politically motivated. (AP Photo/Selahattin Sevi)
Date posted: February 12, 2016
An Istanbul court has ruled to block access to the website of U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, accused by the Turkish government of “leading a terrorist organization.”
The Istanbul 7th Criminal Court of Peace stated in its Feb. 11 verdict that the website herkul.org broadcast speeches of “the leader of the armed terror organization Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ)/Parallel State Structure (PDY), Fethullah Gülen.” It said the site should be blocked according to the law on the regulation of publications on the Internet and suppression of crimes committed through such publications.
According to the verdict, Gülen gave messages and instructions to executives and members of the organization about future terrorist actions through speeches published on the site.
It also said Gülen had given instructions about various “plot investigations” across Turkey in some of the speeches, which executives and members of the organization acted in line with.
The court ultimately ruled to send the verdict to the Association of Internet Access Providers (ESB), demanding implementation within four hours at the latest.
Today’s Zaman offers condolences to families of mine victims
Today’s Zaman also calls on Turkish officials to do their utmost to regulate privately owned and operated mines to ensure the safety of all workers and miners. The tragic incident in the Soma mine once again reveals the need for a stronger inspection of mines including the safety conditions of workers in line with international standards.
Turkish Airlines stops distribution of Zaman and Today’s Zaman on its planes
Turkey’s flagship carrier Turkish Airlines (THY) has put an embargo on dailies affiliated with the Fethullah Gülen Movement, which has been in at odds with the government over an ongoing corruption investigation. The airline, 74 percent of which is owned by the state, had already stopped delivering the English-language daily Today’s Zaman in airport terminals and on planes before slashing the distribution of its Turkish sibling, daily Zaman, by two-thirds.
Who is Fethullah Gülen, why is the Gülen movement currently being targeted by the Turkish government?
since 2010 the movement and Fethullah Gülen himself have been critical of the authoritarian tendencies in Turkey. It was noticeable during the Gezi Park protests in 2013. The movement began to belong to the increasingly long list of state enemies, according to Erdoğan and the AKP politicians. Different kinds of actions have been directed since then against a so called “parallel state.”
11th Turkish Olympiad opens with grand ceremony in Ankara
İPEK ÜZÜM A grand inauguration ceremony was held at 19 Mayıs Stadium in Ankara on Saturday night for the 11th International Turkish Language Olympiad, a festival that celebrates the Turkish language and this year brought together 2,000 students from 140 countries around the world. The 11th Olympiad, which is organized by the International Turkish Education […]
Top union: Closing prep schools to leave 60,000 jobless
Turkey’s largest business confederation, the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), has said a government plan to shut down private exam preparatory schools (dershanes) will leave an estimated 60,000 teachers at these institutions jobless while causing financial losses to investors.
Henri Barkey: Why Is Turkey Accusing Me of Plotting a Coup?
Soon after the coup was defeated, my colleagues and I became the targets of sensationalist conspiracy theories promulgated by Turkey’s pro-government press. The accusations ranged from organizing the coup on behalf of the C.I.A. to setting up communication links for the plotters and, most implausibly, bringing a convicted murderer from California into Turkey to engage in evil deeds.
Latest News
Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away
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
In Case You Missed It
Dialogue Eurasia Institute Opens in Kazakhstan
Albanian lawmakers reject Erdoğan’s call to close Turkish schools
Lawyers for Gulen Call Flynn’s Comments ‘Troubling’
Government cuts off funds for disabled child over father’s Gülen links
UN Peace Conference renews commitment against extremism of all kinds
Gulen’s peace award: Upswing in Islam’s global image?
Champion of Turkish schools in Australia dies at 43
