Erdogan to EU: keep your opinions to yourselvesDecember 15, 2014 - 20:20 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's president on Monday, Dec 15, rejected the European Union's criticism of police raids on media organizations in the country, telling the 28-member bloc to "keep your opinions to yourselves," the Associated Press reports. The EU has criticized Sunday's police raids, which targeted a newspaper and a television station affiliated with the U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen — a one-time ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has turned into one of his biggest critics. Erdogan has accused Gulen's followers within the police and judiciary of being behind corruption allegations that rattled his government last year and has vowed to go after his group. More than two dozen people, including a chief editor, journalists, television producers and scriptwriters, were detained in Sunday's raids that included the Istanbul headquarters of Zaman newspaper and Samanyolu TV, on suspicion of "using intimidation and threats" to try to take control of state power. Some of the suspects were released after questioning Monday. Pro-Erdogan newspapers said those detained were being questioned over allegations that they were involved in false accusations and fabricated evidence in 2009 that led to a police crackdown on a rival Islamic group on charges of al-Qaida links. The Gulen movement rejects the allegation. The EU said Sunday's raids were incompatible with media freedoms and suggested they could affect Turkey's longstanding EU membership bid. In a speech in northwest Turkey on Monday, Erdogan called the arrests a domestic security issue and said he didn't care if the raids affect the membership bid. "The issue is not one of media freedoms," Erdogan said. "Those who threaten our national security — and it doesn't matter if they are members of the press — will get the response they deserve." "Whether the EU takes us in or not, we have no such worry. You keep your opinions to yourselves," Erdogan said. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Pashinyan’s spokesperson denies intention to visit Baku for COP29 Pashinyan’s agenda doesn’t include a trip to Baku for the COP29 conference, his press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan has said. Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. Armenia: Rescue workers restore pedestrian bridge for flood-hit community Rescue workers on Wednesday, June 5 restored a pedestrian bridge in the town of Alaverdi in Armenia’s north. Turkey condemns Uruguay’s recognition of Armenian Genocide Turkey has condemned a newly passed law in Uruguay that recognizes the Armenian Genocide, TRT reports. |