Seized anti-Erdogan Turkish paper Zaman toes government line

Turkish newspaper Zaman has printed its first edition since being seized by authorities in a violent raid, strongly supporting the government line in stark contrast to the daily's previous anti-establishment stance.
Turkish police raided the Istanbul premises of newspaper on Friday local time, using tear gas and water cannon to enter the building in order to impose a court order placing the media business under administration.

The newspaper had staunchly opposed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and was one of the country's most-read publications.

The front page of the paper on Sunday was full of articles supporting the government.

The headline story was an ambitious $3-billion government project to connect Asian and European sides of Turkey's mega city Istanbul by a third bridge.

In common with traditionally pro-government newspapers the front page also contained images of the funerals of "martyrs" killed in the military clashes with Kurdish rebels in the south-east.

In one corner of the new edition President Erdogan is seen holding the hand of an elderly woman and the newspaper announces the president is due to host a reception for women on women's day.

With an estimated circulation of 650,000, the newspaper has been closely affiliated with the President's enemy, exiled Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, believed to be wielding significant influence in the police and judiciary, as well as media and financial interests.

Ankara accuses Mr Gulen of running what it calls the Fethullahist Terror Organisation/Parallel State Structure (FeTO/PDY) and seeking to overthrow the legitimate Turkish authorities.

In its last edition that went to print before its takeover, the newspaper warned of the "darkest days" in the history of the Turkish press.

The new administration, appointed by the court order, on Saturday abolished the contract of the newspaper's editor-in-chief Abdulhamit Bilici while newspaper employees entered the building under tight police scrutiny.

Sunday's edition was the first issue after the takeover, which critics said was aimed at eradicating opposition media in Turkey, which hopes to join the European Union.

"Internet has been cut off, we are unable to use our system," one of the newspaper's journalists said.

"The Sunday edition was not produced by Zaman's staff."
Government denies interference; pushes for Gulen extradition

The seizure of the newspaper by the state comes ahead of a critical summit on Monday between Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and EU leaders in Brussels.

The EU has urged Turkey, its key ally in tackling the huge migrant crisis facing the continent, to uphold press freedom.

The Government, for its part, has denied any interference in what it termed a "legal process."

"There are many media outlets in Turkey that criticise our Government. None of them are subjected to legal procedures," Prime Minister Davutoglu told A Haber television.

"But what's in question here is not merely a press activity but rather an operation targeting a legitimate government that came to power with popular support," he said referring to Gulen loyalists.

Fethullah Gulen has been based in the United States since 1999 when he fled charges against him laid by the former secular authorities.

Turkey has asked the United States to extradite him but Washington has shown little interest in doing so.

Mr Davutoglu said talks with the United States were under way "within the frame of international law" for Mr Gulen's extradition.

"I hope we will obtain a result as soon as possible," he said.

Source: AFP