According to Associated Press, World Bulletin, and other sources, the Turkish government today arrested seven suspects for plotting and inciting the murder of three Christians in 2007. The victims had distributed Christian literature in a country that is only 1% Christian. The men, Necati Aydun, Ugur Yuksel, and Tilmann Ekkehart Geske (a German national), were killed at the Zirve Publishing House in Malatya. At the time, five young men were arrested at the crime scene, yet their trial is still ongoing.
Those arrested include five military officers and two civilians. The government claims that these suspects, as well as others that have been recently arrested, were part of a coup plot begun in 2003. As part of this plot, the predominantly military suspects are thought to have incited and helped in the murders of various minorities to help create chaos and destabilize the present government. There has always been tension between the secular military and the Islamic-based government, headed by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who came to power in 2002. The plot and investigation is called Ergenekon. The evidence used for the arrests varies according to the reports, it coming from a 2008 audio cd provided by a secret witness or a letter provided by a whistle-blower.
The arrests might seem like welcome news, but there have also been arrests of journalists by the government. These arrests have been condemned and protested by international journalists and western governments. Two of the journalists are prominent investigative reporters, and both had criticized an important government backer, Fethullah Gulen, an imam based in Pennsylvania who may now control Turkish security forces. It seems clear to many that the Turkish government is stifling criticism and free speech, and this before the scheduled elections in June.
In related news, a 2009 documentary about the murders is being re-released with new music and other changes. More information about this movie, simply entitled Malatya, can be seen at the website www.Malatyafilm.com.
Image source: http://www.malatyafilm.com/general/printables.html
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