Posted on 03/11/2018 1:32:44 PM PDT by Texas Fossil
An İstanbul high criminal court on Thursday gave prison sentences ranging from 25 months to seven years, six months to 25 journalists on terror charges.
The journalists, some of whom used to work for media outlets affiliated with the Gülen movement, are alleged to be followers of the movement, which is accused by the Turkish government of masterminding a failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016. The movement strongly denies any involvement.
There were 29 defendants in the trial, 19 of whom were in pretrial detention.
(Excerpt) Read more at stockholmcf.org ...
This should never be happening in a sane country, much less in a NATO member country.
I hear the prisons there aren’t the best in the world.
Source: Wikipedia
The Wall Street Journal reported in 2016 that around 150 U.S. charter schools were tied to the Gülen movement, “ranging from networks in Texas, Illinois and Florida to stand-alone academies in Maryland”.
The Journal noted that like other charter schools “blacks and Hispanics in underserved neighborhoods” made up the majority of the student body, with common themes including “an emphasis on math and science education, Turkish language classes and sponsored trips to Turkey”. (snip)
Perhaps if we think "CNN was convicted of terrorist activities" we might have a better perspective, eh ?
No. You’re right. But what of so called journalists in America who purposely lie to cause regime change. Where do freedom of the press and being a 5th columnist intersect?
Why is Ergodan still alive? Why can’t the US, Saudis and Israel just work out a strategy to end this tyrant before it gets even more out of hand?
We have journalists who belong in prison also.
I am not necessarily a lover of Turkey or it’s government. But in a way I can identify with how they feel when the press attempts to undermine them.
In particular this quoted from the article: “All the journalists said in their defense statements that they only performed their jobs as journalists and did nothing unlawful. They said the media organizations they were working for, which were later designated as being linked to a terrorist organization, were all respectable organizations that operated within the boundaries of the law.”
IMO, our MSM undermines our govt daily. And if by some oddball chance were called on it in court, their defense would be identical. The terrorist organization our MSM is clearly linked to is the dem party.
My disdain for journalists in general is such I wish the Turks would give out harsher sentences. A rope and a tree would not be too harsh IMO.
"For a nation of pigs, it sure's funny you don't eat 'em."
What movie?
Few people don’t understand that nobody wants to be in a Turk prison. But the reality is so very bad it is not appreciated by most.
Did you read the evidence presented against those convicted? If you did not, you should.
Many convicted because they installed a specific free encryption application for their cell phone.
Others deemed to have supported Gulen’s organization, all said they did not.
And you must consider that in Turkey (like under Obama) there is no justice. Many thousands of judges were fired by Erdogan after the (faux) coup attempt. Those fired were those who were not Islamists.
The only law in Turkey today, is whatever Erdogan wants on that particular day. If a judge finds against his policy, he is fired. People are released from prison one day by action of a judge and the same day they are re-arrested by the action of another judge at the direction of Erdogan.
So, there is no rule of law in Turkey, there has never been freedom of the Press or Speech in the history of Turkey or the predecessor, the Ottoman Empire.
I’ve been told there are others who think like him, and many of the citizens are totally brainwashed by the absolute lies in the Turkish Press and TV.
There was an episode of ‘Locked up Abroad’ (or something similar) about an American drug mule who got caught. His description of his incarceration was brutal. Beatings of the bottom of his feet until unconsciousness, etc..
I’m sure the sponsored trips to Turkey are no longer available.
Gulen strongly denies anything to do with the (faux) Coup. At one time Erdogan and Gulen were very close. They parted ways before the Coup.
No they aren’t the best. And they are one of the most brutal. Torture is commonly practiced in both men and women prisons. Some prisons are famous for their brutality.
Third World Country journalist board the Midnight Express!
From what I’ve heard, they torture most of the prisoners, including the women. And the number that are in jail is huge. It is their way of taking the political opposition out of action.
Not sure that Turkey is 3rd world, but it is not a place I want to visit. I’m sure they would put me in jail.
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