Turkey’s non-Muslims concerned over court system changesJune 30, 2012 - 11:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - As there is a government plan to pass a law that would abolish or significantly curtail the powers of Turkey's specially authorized courts, Turkey's non-Muslims have voiced their concerns over this and indicated that progress in important cases must not be affected by the changes, according to Today’s Zaman. “Our concern is in regards to the fate of current cases such as Ergenekon, Zirve and Hrant Dink. Changes to the law must not affect the progress of these key cases which are not only important for the non-Muslim community but also for entire Turkey,” said Tatyos Bebek, a civil society activist from the Armenian community. Bebek was referring to the Ergenekon case - a clandestine organization nested within the state that was trying to manipulate and overthrow the democratically elected government; the Cage (Kafes) case - a plan that targeted Turkey's non-Muslims to create chaos and grounds for military interference; the Zirve case, which involved the killing of Christian missionaries in Malatya; and the murder of Hrant Dink, editor-in-chief of Agos Armenian-Turkish weekly. “Government officials say that ongoing cases will not be affected by the changes. That's what we expect. If the changes are going to eliminate the allegations that there are unfair practices conducted by these special courts, then the new law will bring positive changes,” said İvo Vedat Molinas, the editor-in-chief of Shalom, a Jewish community newspaper in Turkey. According to the government's plans, the new bill will be passed before Parliament adjourns for summer recess on July 1. There are predictions that the new law might lead to the release of hundreds of gang members, drug traffickers, terrorists and terror suspects, Today’s Zaman says. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |