Turkish daily Taraf accused of ‘spying’ and ‘terror acts’ for publishing state document

A document from a 2004 National Security Council meeting about a state action plan against the activities of Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen’s movement was released by the daily Taraf on Nov. 28. CİHAN photo
A document from a 2004 National Security Council meeting about a state action plan against the activities of Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen’s movement was released by the daily Taraf on Nov. 28. CİHAN photo


Date posted: December 6, 2013

Daily Taraf, which published a document from a 2004 National Security Council (MGK) meeting about a state action plan against the activities of Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen’s movement, has been charged with “spying” and “terrorism,” in an investigation launched by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor.

“Obtaining documents regarding state security,” “political or military spying,” “exposing documents regarding the state’s security or political good,” and “revealing forbidden information,” are counted as the crimes that Taraf is accused of committing.

The document, released by the newspaper on Nov. 28, heated up the row between the government and the Gülen movement. Some government officials subsequently confirmed the document’s existence, but denied that any action had been taken after its signing.

Government officials accepted the authenticity of the document, which was signed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other Cabinet members, but Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç said the action plan was never actually implemented.

The Anatolia Public Prosecutor Press Crimes Bureau launched an initial investigation into Taraf’s report, but with a decision over lack of jurisdiction the file was sent today to the Istanbul Public Prosecutor, which is in charge of terror crimes.

In addition, the Prime Ministry, the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) and the National Security Council (MGK) on Dec. 4 filed criminal complaints against Taraf and its journalist Mehmet Baransu over the exposure of the 2004 MGK decisions.

Today’s edition of Taraf includes an editorial penned by its editor-in-chief, Neşe Düzel, stating “You cannot silence us.”

Source: Hurriyet Daily News , December 6, 2013

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