Opposition lawmakers in Turkey are boycotting the opening of parliament in protest of a court decision to prevent several elected but detained officials from taking their seats. One third of the 550-member newly-elected parliament said Monday they will attend the opening ceremony but will refuse to take the oath until their colleagues are freed. The […]
Opposition Lawmakers Boycott Turkish Parliament
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
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Suspected Kurdish Rebels Kill Turkish Soldier
Posted June 27th, 2011 at 4:15 am (UTC-5)
Turkey’s Anatolia news agency says Kurdish rebels have attacked soldiers in eastern Turkey, killing one and wounded three others. The semi-official news agency reported the attack happened Sunday in the town of Saray, when the rebels from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party opened fire on a military vehicle. The PKK has been fighting against Turkey’s military […]
Turkish Court Refuses to Release 6 Kurdish Politicians Elected to Parliament
Posted June 26th, 2011 at 12:45 pm (UTC-5)
A Turkish court has ruled that six Kurdish politicians who won seats in a parliamentary election this month must remain in prison to face terrorism charges. The six politicians were elected as independents backed by the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party in the June 12 vote. Turkish authorities accuse them of having links to the […]
Turkish Court Denies Release to Newly Elected, Jailed General
Posted June 24th, 2011 at 6:00 pm (UTC-5)
Turkey’s Anatolia news agency says a Turkish court has ruled against releasing from jail a retired general who was elected to parliament earlier this month. The general, Engin Alan, has been accused of participating in a coup plot. The semi-official news agency reported a judge Friday rejected a petition from Alan’s lawyer asking for his […]
Kurdish Lawmakers Boycott Parliament
Posted June 23rd, 2011 at 10:15 am (UTC-5)
Kurdish lawmakers on Thursday decided to boycott Turkey’s parliament to protest a decision to strip a newly-elected Kurdish politician of his seat. Turkey’s new parliament is due to convene on Tuesday, June 28. The Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party won 36 seats in the 550-seat chamber in last week’s election. Turkey’s electoral board took away […]
Turkey Strips Kurdish Politician of Parliament Seat
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 6:15 am (UTC-5)
Turkey’s electoral commission has ruled a newly elected Kurdish politician cannot take his seat in parliament because of a prior terrorism-related conviction. The High Electoral Board ruled late Tuesday that Hatip Dicle is not eligible for Turkey’s new parliament, after winning a seat in the June 12 election. Days before the vote, an appeals court […]
Israeli PM Congratulates Turkish Counterpart on Election Victory
Posted June 21st, 2011 at 8:45 pm (UTC-5)
Mr. Erdogan repeatedly criticized Israel for launching a major offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza in late 2008. Israel said the offensive was aimed at stopping Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli communities.
Turkish Ship Out of Aid Flotilla to Gaza
Posted June 17th, 2011 at 10:15 am (UTC-5)
A Turkish boat has opted out of an international aid flotilla headed to the Gaza Strip later this month in defiance of an Israeli naval blockade around the Palestinian territory. Aid organizers said Friday that the Mavi Marmara will not join the estimated 10 other ships because of technical problems. The Turkish ship was boarded […]
Kurdish Rebel Cease-fire Deadline Expires Wednesday in Turkey
Posted June 14th, 2011 at 8:20 pm (UTC-5)
Wednesday is the deadline set by imprisoned Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan for Turkey’s government to start talks on rebel demands. Ocalan had warned that he will call off a cease-fire if his demand for negotiations is not met. Ocalan leads the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK. The PKK is demanding greater autonomy for […]
Turkish Forces Kill 3 Suspected Militants
Posted June 14th, 2011 at 11:40 am (UTC-5)
Turkish officials say security forces have killed three suspected militants in clashes in eastern Turkey. The officials said the clashes occurred Tuesday in Sivas province. They did not specify any affiliation for the alleged militants; however, Kurdish rebels have an active stronghold in the country’s southeast. The outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, has been […]
