AKP urges U.S. envoy to follow limits while commenting on freedom of speech in Turkey

PanARMENIAN.Net - The new U.S. envoy to Ankara, who criticized Turkey for detaining journalists while saying it supports freedom of speech, has been slammed by ruling party officials for “interfering” in domestic affairs.

“Ambassadors cannot interfere in domestic issues. They have limits,” Huseyin Celik, the deputy leader and spokesman for the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, told reporters on February 16. “Whether this is the U.S. or the Russian ambassador, they have to adhere to the limits.”

Newly appointed U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone drew Celik’s ire with comments he made at a reception at his residence, where reporters asked him his opinion about a recent raid on Oda TV, a dissident online news portal, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

“Journalists are being detained on the one hand, while addresses about freedom of speech are given on the other. We do not understand this, so we ask you,” Ricciardone said, adding that he does “not have full knowledge of the details,” but is “following the process closely.”

The offices of Oda TV and the homes of its owner, the well-known journalist Soner Yalcın, and several staff members were raided Monday by Istanbul police based on suspected links to the alleged Ergenekon gang, which is accused of planning to topple the government by staging a coup, initially by spreading chaos and mayhem.

“Turkey wants a free press. Turkish people want a critical press even if it is a dissident one. The opposition parties and the government say they support freedom of the press,” Ricciardone. “The Turkish people’s opinion is important. Freedom of the press and freedom of speech are vital for Turkey, the United States and the people of this region.”