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Turkish journalist arrested in connection with alleged coup plot

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] A Turkish court ordered the arrest of Cumhuriyet journalist Mustafa Balbay Thursday for his alleged involvement in a plot to overthrow the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Balbay was arrested along with internet publisher Neriman Aydin as part of the ongoing probe into secular group Ergenekon. The Ergenekon probe has been criticized as an attempt by the AKP to silence opposition and further their imposition of Islamic principles in violation of Turkey's secular constitution. The arrests of Balbay and Aydin are among many others related to the Ergenekon probe. There are currently more than 100 suspects in custody, with 40 arrested January 7, another 12 arrested January 12, and 30 arrested January 19.. The suspects arrested include journalists, academics, army officers, policemen and Turkish Workers' Party leader Dogu Perincek. These arrests came after the October trial by the High Criminal Court in Istanbul for 86 defendants allegedly involved in the coup plot.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on March 06, 2009 (boomark / email).