TURKEY

British academic Chris Stephenson was detained yesterday, while he was waiting in front of the courthouse for acting with solidarity with 3 academics who were taken into custody yesterday. He may be deported within 48 hours.

University student Ozan Can Akkuş died in the attack that took place in Ankara yesterday. He was a friend of Ali Deniz, who died in the attack that took place near Ankara Train Station on October 10.

Yesterday, in Ankara, near Kızılay Güvenpark, an explosion took place at 18.45. In the attack, 37 people were killed and 125 people were injured.

Human Rights Association (İHD) will file criminal complaints against Prime Minister Davutoğlu, who have been criticized because of his “Armenian gangs” statement, and Aşkale Mayor Başaran who said “I gratefully commemorate our honorable ancestors who wiped the Armenians off.”

Sevag Balıkçı was killed by Kıvanç Ağaoğlu while he was doing his military service in Kozluk province in Batman and the most recent hearing of the murder case was held in Diyarbakir on February 25. The case is adjourned to April 6 because of a missing document. Sevag Balıkçı's parents Garabed and Ani Balıkçı were present at the hearing. We talked to them about the legal process and the claims that Ani Balıkçı has moved to Armenia.

Hrant Dink Foundation's studies on cultural heritage continues. After the inventory of the structures of Armenians, Greeks, Syriacs and Jews in Turkey is taken, the foundation focused on the cultural heritage of Kayseri. In late 19th century, one third of Kayseri's population consisted of Christians. Though it is a rich country in terms of cultural heritage, there are few studies on the city.

After the Constitutional Court decided that the rights of Erdem Gül and Can Dündar are violated, President Erdoğan said, “I don't obey and respect to that decision.” With this statement, Chief Judge of the Constitutional Court Zühtü Arslan became the focus of debates. Today, he made a statement: “Constitutional Court's decisions are binding to everyone. Disapproval or appreciation of anybody doesn't mean anything to the court.”

According to the violation of rights report released by Diyarbakir Bar Association, Yazidis who ran away from Sinjar and took shelter in Turkey cannot benefit from free health care service, though they have refugee status.

Ankara Public Prosecutor's Office sent a written notice to satellite broadcasting (Türksat) and demand İMC TV's frequency is suspended with the claim that it makes propaganda for terrorist organizations. News Coordinator Faruk Eren said, “This is what happened, while we are rejoicing the release of Gül and Dündar. The situation of the freedom of press and expression in Turkey is miserable.”

Last year, the procedure of using the ‘race code’ for students applying to non-Muslim schools was abolished with a public mandate. General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs Director Ahmet Sarıcan informed HDP MP Garo Paylan that this procedure is also removed from their system.