Cyprus-Forum.com

[Tim Drayton]

Following the formation of what has been dubbed the “War Cabinet”, the AKP government has announced that it is launching what it is calling its “Struggle for the Independence of the New Turkey”.

The coverage by various pro-government newspapers gives an idea of the thrust that this campaign will take. Star speaks of Israel taking revenge for the Mavi Marmara, while Yeni Şafak has gone as far as to claim:

“The USA, Israel and the Fethullah Gülen Movement have turned the operation whose button they pressed on 17 December into a coup.”

http://birgun.net/haber/erdoganin-savas ... -9067.html

[Tim Drayton]

It is reported that a further 41 arrests are imminent in the next wave of the anti-corruption investigation being conducted by public prosecutor Muammer Akkaş.

http://www.radikal.com.tr/turkiye/ikinc ... si-1168254

It is reported that, with then police failing to act on the public prosecutor's orders to make the above arrests, these orders have now been passed on to the gendarmerie, which comes under the control of the military, for execution.

http://www.radikal.com.tr/turkiye/ikinc ... at-1168267

[Tim Drayton]

Prime-Minister Erdoğan is currently making a speech in the province of Sakarya. So far, he has started by praising his party’s achievements while in power: in 2002, 45% of the state budget went on interest payments, now the figure is 13% - this has saved the country 642 billion lira; this money has gone into infrastructure investments such as 17,000 km. of dual carriageway in ten years.

http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/2318 ... vqgkumynks

[Tim Drayton]

In his Sakarya speech, Erdoğan attacked public prosecutor Muammer Akkaş, who is leading the anti-corruption investigation, saying, “That public prosecutor is the black sheep of the judiciary.” He also attacked the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK), saying, “The HSYK committed a crime. It commented while a case was pending at the Council of State. Now I ask who will try the HSYK. If I had such jurisdiction, I would immediately try it.” In his speech, he also stated, “We are both the legislative and the executive. Power is not exclusively in the hands of the judiciary. If that it what the judiciary says, then let us also be aware of this.”

http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/2318 ... eyiz_.html

[bill cobbett]

In his Sakarya speech, Erdoğan attacked public prosecutor Muammer Akkaş, who is leading the anti-corruption investigation, saying, “That public prosecutor is the black sheep of the judiciary.” He also attacked the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK), saying, “The HSYK committed a crime. It commented while a case was pending at the Council of State. Now I ask who will try the HSYK. If I had such jurisdiction, I would immediately try it.” In his speech, he also stated, “We are both the legislative and the executive. Power is not exclusively in the hands of the judiciary. If that it what the judiciary says, then let us also be aware of this.”

http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/2318 ... eyiz_.html

Oh dear... perhaps someone should tell Erdy about the separation of powers in the democratic system.

[bill cobbett]

Meanwhile, the TA has released an ambiguous statement.

Here is how the BBC reports the statement ...

"... "The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) does not want to be involved in political debates. On the other hand, the TSK will keep on closely following the developments regarding its corporate identity and the legal positions of its members," the statement said. ... "

[bill cobbett]

Reuters reporting on a set-back for Erdogan's attempts to block the corruption investigations...

"... Dec 27 (Reuters) - A Turkish court blocked a government attempt to force police to disclose investigations to their superiors, officials said on Friday, in a setback for Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's attempts to manage fallout from a high-level corruption scandal.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/12/2 ... X820131227

[Tim Drayton]

The prosecutors who will replace Muammer Akkaş in the ‘second wave’ of the corruption and bribery investigation, from which the latter was removed, have been named. The investigation will henceforth be conducted by Deputy Istanbul Chief Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor Oktay Erdoğan along with the prosecutors İdris Kurt, İrfan Fidan, Fuzuli Aydoğdu and İsmail Uçar.

http://birgun.net/haber/iste-yeni-savcilar-9118.html

[Tim Drayton]

In his Sakarya speech, Erdoğan attacked public prosecutor Muammer Akkaş, who is leading the anti-corruption investigation, saying, “That public prosecutor is the black sheep of the judiciary.” He also attacked the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK), saying, “The HSYK committed a crime. It commented while a case was pending at the Council of State. Now I ask who will try the HSYK. If I had such jurisdiction, I would immediately try it.” In his speech, he also stated, “We are both the legislative and the executive. Power is not exclusively in the hands of the judiciary. If that it what the judiciary says, then let us also be aware of this.”

http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/2318 ... eyiz_.html

Oh dear... perhaps someone should tell Erdy about the separation of powers in the democratic system.

I think by 'we' he means the AKP, and they do form the government as well as having the majority in parliament. I think he has delineated the front line of this post-modern battle with great accuracy and precision.

[Tim Drayton]

It is reported that last night (26 December) an unidentified person entered the floor of the Financial Branch where data connected with the investigation was held. It has been established that the person, who was caught on camera, attended to the computers at the Branch and performed certain procedures. It is thought that in the event recorded on camera the person, who could not be identified as the room was dark, engaged in data transfer with the computer. It has been stated that an examination of the event has been started.

http://www.radikal.com.tr/turkiye/mali_ ... si-1168304