The London Times and Turkey’s coup plot case

A lengthy article in the London Times has exposed the critical court case at the heart of Turkey's political-military trials for what it is: a fraud based on fabricated evidence. There is nothing new in the article itself. A few courageous Turkish journalists (Sedat Ergin and Ezgi Basaran in particular) have made many of the same points for some time. And my wife Pinar Dogan and I have now documented countless inconsistencies and anachronisms in the evidence being used by the prosecutors that leave no doubt that the alleged coup plot is a fantasy. But what is important is that for the first time a serious paper outside Turkey has taken a close look at the evidence and reached its own unambiguous verdict.

The same day that the article was published, Turkish courts arrested 8 more people for being part of the same plot. The mind boggles.

Where you might ask are Turkey's liberals and democrats? Well, a good number of them are actually applauding the case. The fact that it has served to weaken the military seems to be a good enough reason for them to disregard the fact that what is being passed off as a court case is a legal travesty.

What is involved here is not just prosecutorial zeal or Turkey's traditionally weak legal culture. We are talking of a massive fraud committed to frame and imprison innocent individuals. The court proceedings to date make painfully clear that the prosecutors and the judges are quite aware of what is going on. And how could they not be? Even a 10-year old can understand that a document that refers to an entity that was not created until 2009 could not have been prepared in 2003.

So those in Turkey (and Europe) who support this case (and the many others that are similar) are committing two serious errors. Perhaps the less serious one is that they are willing to look the other way when the rule of law and human rights are violated. But their truly fatal mistake is their failure to see that the organized groups within the police and judiciary who are manufacturing evidence and running these trials are the greatest threat to Turkey's democracy at present. By lending these groups support they are complicit in the undermining of any prospect of democracy that still remains in Erdogan's Turkey.

Comments

[Levend Isanlar]

In my humble oppinion, the author needs to elaborate or at least quantify “a good number of them” to begin with. Many of them criticize the way the court proceeds while acknowledging the “alleged” wrongdoings of his father in law who was caught on tape in recommending shameful tactics to justify a plot. I am certainly one “those” liberal democrats. And I know “a good number of them” being in the same oppinion camp. I detest to see an important case being diluted by alleged false fabrications by security and the judiciary and equally discredited through chaff and noise by the counterparty of which this author has a vested interest in. I would be more respectful of his oppinion if I could see some self-criticism by him and other supporters acknowledging their responsabilities (large or small) why all these events turned out as such. If the counterparty in question did not perform similar or even worse shameful tactics in the past against its own people, I am sure it would find more than “a good number of them” supporting their cause. Yes, two wrongs does not make right but in the path of normalisation the shifted pendulum never balances at equilibrium. Whether we like it or not.

[Donald Pillsman]

Why are you taking offense, Levend? Because your president is a joke and the democratic party is going the way of the USSR?

John from
http://adipex-diet-pills.info

[Dhayl Strikes]

I'm not really sure what their goal is. Clearly, they hope to bring attention to their claims about that issue.

Dharyl Strikes
Employee Loyalty Program

[A Facebook User]

This didn't make alot of sense.
http://www.liveonlinebetting.info/
http://www.liveonlinebetting.info/baseball-betting/
http://www.liveonlinebetting.info/basketball-betting/
http://www.liveonlinebetting.info/best-sports-betting/
http://www.liveonlinebetting.info/betting-offers/
http://www.liveonlinebetting.info/betting-websites/
http://www.liveonlinebetting.info/football-betting/
http://www.liveonlinebetting.info/hockey-betting/
http://www.liveonlinebetting.info/horse-race-betting/
http://www.liveonlinebetting.info/live-betting/

[fetamy]

I am amazed to heard that the Turkey has been making this mistakes of evidence manufacturing which cause threats to Turkey's democracy.
All above mentioned http://www.theratchetshop.co.uk/
">Chain block of mistakes or avoidance action of law and order can cause serious for image of judiciary and police.

[Wangwanganty]

i think its not about demonizing those that achieved the american dream, its more of embracing reality. statistic shows that in every one kid born in US, there are 16 kids somewhere out there in other part of the world are deprived Hermes Scarf
for basic necessities in order to live. 2945abc45 0929

[Jason Zhang]

thanks
pipe fitting
pipe fittings
carbon steel pipe fittings
butt welded pipe fittings
pipe fittings
管件
pipe fittings

[Wildnettechnilogies]

Fantastic blog! I don't think Ive seen all the angles of this subject the way you have pointed them out. You are a true star, a rock star man. You have got so much to say and know so much about the subject.SEO India

[Wildnettechnilogies]

Nice post. I like the way you start and then conclude your thoughts. Thanks for this information .I really appreciate your work, keep it up.SEO India

[Wildnettechnilogies]

Hi, I appreciate your speculating as it attracts people’s attention and make this topic discussable.Web Development India

[Sahil Kotak]

Surely, a superb post and I really appreciate you taking time and writing this.
Affiliate Cash Snipers

[Aleclihong]

List of epsychology interventions: org moncler jackets http://bit.ly/tm83EY
cheap moncler

[RenesPaley]

Regards Terrific application. Android apps are usually valuable.
UGG

[Lifenzhu]

http://bit.ly/ubAjYJ
"...we came across the word 'twitter', and it was just perfect. The definition was 'a short burst of inconsequential information,' and 'chirps from birds'. And that's exactly what the product was."

[Lily Yago]

Your writing skills are really emaculate, I wish I was half as good as you.

http://cheapnikefree2buyr.com
Mulberry factory shop

[Vin Ke]

the portability, lighter weight, smaller dimensions, and increased battery life are worth the compromises (smaller screen, small or virtual keyboard, limited ports, no optical drive) that you and I wouldn't tolerate. hammer mill

[orjin krem]

Really you have done great job, there are many person searching about that now they will find enough resources by your post. I like this blog manzaralar zayıflamak oyunlar yemek tarifleri

[Vin Ke]

What data did he analyze? For each impacted country (listed in the first bullet point), he looked at trends in terms of the local markets, construction practices, and laws, identified stakeholders, and then identified risk and opportunity for implementing his plan in each of those countries.Buying Wood Chip Briquette Press

[Sachin Ruhela]

powerpoint fix

Good Post.It's really helpful & interesting

Download Ppt Recovery Software
http://www.powerpoint-file-repair.com

[Vin Ke]

However, when peers are comparing paychecks they rarely look at the entire picture they get stuck on a few numbers with dollar signs attached. pellet mill components

[Giee Idol]

Hi Dani,
Enjoy reader your write.

Betwin188.com Agen Bola Terbaik Dukung Anti Rasisme EURO 2012

Iklan Internet Murah Efektif Berkualitas Indonesia

Motor Matic Injeksi Irit Harga Murah – Yamaha Mio J

[buy-sneaker-online]

Great article. Thanks for sharing information with us, this blog is very interesting,Thank you, Enjoy watcing my website. really nice. You should be the Economic Minister. Thanks for writing, this and the New Yorker piece have been very informative, thank you.
Adidas Jeremy Scott
http://www.buy-sneaker-online.com