EU, U.S. Slam Turkish Police Raids on Anti-Erdogan Media
Top EU officials on Sunday denounced Turkish police raids on media representatives as going "against the European values" that Turkey aspires to as it seeks membership in the bloc.
Foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and enlargement commissioner Johannes Hahn also said that the raids were "incompatible with the freedom of media, which is a core principle of democracy."
The statement of condemnation released by the European Commission, the EU executive arm, follows a visit to Turkey earlier this month by the two officials.
"This operation goes against the European values and standards Turkey aspires to be part of and which are the core of reinforced relations," the pair said in the statement.
"We recall that any further step towards accession with any candidate country depends on the full respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights," it said.
Turkish police on Sunday arrested the editor of Turkey's biggest-selling newspaper and 26 others in lightning raids on supporters of U.S.-based cleric who has become President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's top foe.
The operation was the most significant yet against supporters of Fethullah Gulen, a former ally of Erdogan whom the Turkish strongman accuses of running a parallel state from abroad.
"We expect that the principle of presumption of innocence will prevail and recall the inalienable right for an independent and transparent investigation in case of any alleged wrongdoing, with full respect of the rights of the defendants," the two EU officials said.
The pair said they would convey their concerns to EU member states which were due Tuesday to discuss negotiations for the enlargement of the bloc, including those involving Turkey.
"We expect that the strong EU commitment given by our Turkish counterparts during our visit to be translated into deeds," the statement said.
Later on Sunday, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Washington was "closely following" reports of the raids and arrests.
"Media freedom, due process and judicial independence are key elements in every healthy democracy and are enshrined in the Turkish constitution," she added.
"As Turkey's friend and ally, we urge the Turkish authorities to ensure their actions do not violate these core values and Turkey's own democratic foundations."
Pennsylvania-based Gulen, 73, is the spiritual leader of the Hizmet (Service) movement, which controls media outlets, schools and cultural centers.
He was a key backer of Erdogan before falling out with him over the government's plans to shut down his schools.
Source: Agence France Presse
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