Turkish Right to Information Blog

Archive for the ‘Bugging’ Category

CHP eavesdropping allegations proven false

Allegations that the government bugged Republican People’s Party (CHP) Secretary-General Önder Sav’s private office without authorization were proven false when the daily that sparked the controversy revealed the source of the conversation transcript the CHP had based its accusations on.

Today’s Zaman, your gateway to Turkish news: Wiretapping and slandering

Politician: What is the political atmosphere like in Bolu?
Governor: Your job is not that easy. However, it wouldn’t be right to give up just because it is difficult.

Politician: Do you have the determined and careful human resources required to facilitate the political formation that will win the public over in the town?

Governor: Yes, we do, albeit small. It is necessary to know that we don’t have many people.

Politician: How do you view Bolu, in particular from the political perspective? What can be done?

Governor: Bolu’s base is the Republican People’s Party [CHP]. We can see that the CHP’s votes are growing — particularly in local elections. If a large group is established in Bolu, things could change for the better for the CHP to such an extent that the CHP may well win the elections.

This dialogue is from a conversation that took place between Önder Sav, the CHP secretary-general, and Mehmet Ali Serindağ, the former governor of Bolu, who has been relieved of duty through a recently enacted bylaw on governors. I should first of all note that this type of relationship and conversation should never take place between a political party official and the highest-ranking bureaucrat who represents the state in his province. It’s impossible for us to approve of either this dialogue or relationship. An understanding of public administration based on impartiality and a democratic culture never allow for such a relationship or dialogue.

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Today’s Zaman, your gateway to Turkish news: Who is wiretapping the CHP?

The wiretapping of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) headquarters is a very grave situation despite the ruthlessness, rashness and inconsiderateness of CHP leader Deniz Baykal’s statement about it. The duty of taking the very first action is incumbent on the government and the judiciary.

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Today’s Zaman, your gateway to Turkish news: Bug, By Ekrem Dumanli, 30.05.2008

Unusual things are happening in Turkey. At a time when the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) closure case is being reviewed at the Constitutional Court, one of the 11 members of the court met with Turan Çömez. Who is Çömez?

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Turkish press is full of stories about illegal interception of communications of politicians in Turkey as well as news about a new draft Data Protection Bill. I will post further information about these developments too.

Watergate scenes in Ankara: Who bugged the CHP? – Turkish Daily News May 29, 2008: ” It was two weeks ago when the Constitutional Court’s Vice President Osman Paksüt alleged he was being stalked, and yesterday a political party also denounced security officials for eavesdropping on private meetings in the party’s headquarters and providing the illegally acquired information to an Islamic daily, likening it to a Turkish Watergate.

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