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 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. 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. |