Questions over corruption and paralysis of politics [in Turkey]

Turkish ministers, whose sons were detained as part of the corruption probe.
Turkish ministers, whose sons were detained as part of the corruption probe.


Date posted: December 26, 2013

BEGÜM BURAK

Paralysis of politics is prevailing in Turkey nowadays. Democratization efforts have been overshadowed by the corruption scandal but still power-holders seek a scapegoat to put the blame on.

Indeed, the corruption crisis, the related ongoing judicial process and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s stance towards this process have led many people to have serious concerns over justice and the latest developments have made me pose the following questions. I think that we strongly need honestly speaking and honestly thinking politicians to answer these questions for the sake of liberal democracy and universal values such as rule of law.

1. Since 2002, almost 12 years have passed; why could you not become aware of the “parallel state” structure and illegal organization(s) and why could you not eliminate them?

2. Despite being suspicious about a “plot” formulated against the government, why have you not shed light upon this plot before? Do you really think that Halkbank has been used as a tool by the plot-makers? Do not you think that without any solid evidence, the head of Halkbank could not have been put into prison?

3. Why have you begun to adopt the rhetoric of “internal and external enemies of Turkey” with the outbreak of this corruption crisis? Where have these enemies been so far?

4. Is your latest legal arrangement forcing the police and prosecutors to inform the highest administrative authority about their investigations compatible with the notion of separation of powers?

5. Why have you removed hundreds of police chiefs while such a critical corruption case is going on? Isn’t this an intervention in the judicial process? You used to see the police as heroes during Gezi protests, now you see them as “bad guys.” What made you change your opinions?

6. In shoeboxes, millions of dollars are found, but still you are emphasizing the role of external actors and their domestic collaborators as the main agents who have enmity towards “big Turkey”? Please explain what you think about these shoeboxes.

7. Why have you banned journalists from entering police stations? Why don’t you want journalists to report news in these public places? Is this policy compatible with a free and independent media which is a necessity for democracies?

8. Do you think that the US ambassador is really a provocateur, and as distinguished journalist Cüneyt Özdemir asks, do you think that the US ambassador can belong to the “Camia” (Hizmet — Service — movement) circle?

9. Could you please explain how a 29-year-old Iranian businessman can get into almost every single state building and take part in state protocol as easily as is seen in photos?

10. Why did you shut down investigative journalist Mehmet Baransu’s news website? Was there anything illegal on his website? Or do you aim to put pressure upon opposing media?

11. As is well known, in Turkey the bestselling English-language daily is Today’s Zaman. However, Turkish Airlines has put an end to the distribution of Today’s Zaman in airplanes and airports. How can you explain this development?

12. In the murder case of journalist Hrant Dink, it was stated that some policemen misused their duties but none of them were removed. However, in this current process, many removals have been witnessed. What would you say about this?

13. You claim that under the guise of corruption, a horrible trap for the government has been set. Can you prove this claim?

14. Distinguished professor Mehmet Altan treats this corruption crisis as the second Susurluk incident. What are your views about this statement?

15. In Spain, a similar corruption incident has been witnessed. However, unlike in Turkey, the prime minister there supported the legal process, and in addition did not label the corruption a trap set against their rule. What do you think about this?

16. Some figures who work as columnists and journalists condemn the Hizmet movement in this process and explicitly and implicitly put the blame on Hizmet movement, stigmatizing it as an agent side by side with external enemies to overthrow the government. Do you really agree with that? If so, please prove your accusations.

Source: Today's Zaman , December 25, 2013


Related News

Police detain student over fingerprints on Gülen books

According to a report, the police were informed that books written by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen were thrown in the garbage by unidentified people in the Belediyeevleri neighborhood of the Canik district of Samsun province. After the investigation, fingerprints on the books were matched to those of A.E.A, a 22-year-old university student.

Media Imposes Official Ideology, Creating Negative non-Muslim Image

Intellectuals and journalists who gathered at a workshop for a debate on how the media treats non-Muslims in society have said that the media has had a crucial role in imposing official ideology on society. “It is not that all negative perceptions in the media regarding non-Muslims have been determined by media bosses or chief […]

Sakarya court orders stay of execution on closure of Fatih Koleji

The Sakarya Administrative Court on Friday issued a stay of execution on the closure decision for Fatih Koleji, a Hizmet-affiliated school that has been running in the Beyköy district of Düzce province, saying that the school is allowed to continue to operate in the 2014-2015 education period.

Students from 70 countries share joy of graduating in İstanbul ceremony

Foreign students who have come to study in Turkey threw their caps into the air in celebration at a graduation ceremony held in Istanbul on Wednesday.

Turkey’s political weather forecast

A statement from the Higher Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) said a decree from Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKParti) government was against the Turkish Constitution. The Board was mentioning the government’s Dec. 21 decree, asking prosecutors to inform local administrative authorities about their investigations, which was supposed to be confidential

Hizmet and countering violent extremism

The Hizmet movement is in trouble in Turkey because of the increasingly despotic Justice and Development Party (AKP) regime’s persecution of its volunteers. But, ironically, this may be good for world peace.

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

German Politician: Turkey like Nazi Germany after Reichstag

Fethullah Gulen: Turkey’s Eroding Democracy (op-ed in NY Times)

Why does Turkey’s President Erdogan want Knicks’ Enes Kanter in jail?

Turkish school leaves tight quarters for spacious former Wayne corporate building

Fethullah Gulen Condemns Turkish Crackdown on His Supporters

UN and OSCE experts deplore crackdown on journalists and media outlets in Turkey

EU and Turkey’s rights abuse

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News