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.
Ex-employee files complaint against TİB head over purge
An email claimed that the agency tampered with its system logs to fabricate evidence that the “parallel state,” a term the government uses to describe the Hizmet movement, had listened in on around 2,000 people. The message said the electronic serial numbers (ESNs) of these people were entered into the system as per instructions from TİB President Çelik and then erased — all to make it look like the Hizmet movement had spied on Turkish citizens and then covered its tracks.
Journalist reveals inspiring story of Turkish schools in book
Ankara-based journalist Mesut Çevikalp has written a book about the little-known stories of Turkish schools opened by Turkish entrepreneurs in various parts of the world, including the moving and hardship-laden stories of education volunteers working at these schools, most of whom left a better life in Turkey with the hope of promoting universal values of peace, dialogue and peaceful coexistence with others.
Man dies in Maritsa River while fleeing persecution in Turkey
The body of Mustafa Zümre, a computer engineer has been found in the Maritsa River 78 days after he went missing. He had arrest warrant issued due to alleged Gülen links, reportedly went to the Umurca village of Edirne’s Meriç district along with his wife and two children on Dec. 12 to cross the Maritsa River to reach Greece in order to escape the witch-hunt against the Gülen followers in Turkey.
Nigeria demands Turkey’s apology over ‘unjustifiable’ students deportation in coup crackdown
Nigerian lawmakers have urged the Turkish government to apologise for arresting and deporting dozens of Nigerian students. The majority of the youths attended the Fatih University, which is among thousands of educational buildings Turkey has shut down in a crackdown following the failed coup.
Lawyers for Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen have said via Twitter that Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ should have provided proof to back up his statement that Gülen planned to return from the US to Turkey in a similar way to Iran’s revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Turkey’s accused – Tragic stories of the purged
Turkey’s hunt for traitors after the failed July 15 coup has upended communities around the country and strained the rule of law. Arrests initially focused on military and security personnel. In the months since, tens of thousands of others, mainly teachers, have been caught in the crackdown.
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
Deputy PM of Turkey visits Gulen-inspired school in Yemen
Foundation gives to poor students
Detained woman, newborn baby transferred to police station 240 km away from home
US-Based Muslim Preacher Leverages Influence Back in Turkey
When paths part…
President emphasizes importance of domestic peace for development
A Cry of the Heart for the Victims of Hurricane Katrina