ANKARA: Turkish President Abdullah Gul said yesterday he saw problems with a controversial bill backed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that would tighten government control over the Internet.
Social media and video sharing sites have been awash with alleged recordings of ministers including Erdogan and business allies presented as proof of wrongdoing in a graft scandal that has gripped the country.
Gul has around 10 more days to approve or veto the bill, which opponents say muzzles free speech. Erdogan says the new law, which triggered street protests in Istanbul over the weekend, is essential to protecting privacy.
It would allow telecommunications authorities to block access to material within four hours without a prior court order.
“There are one or two problems. We are working on it,” Gul told reporters at a press conference.
PROTESTERS ARRESTED
Elsewhere in Ankara, riot police fired tear gas and water cannon at around 2,000 protesters demanding the release of army officers jailed for plotting a coup.
“Freedom to patriots, end conspiracies,” the protesters shouted as police blocked them from marching to parliament.
“We are here to demand the release of all the patriots. Turkey is living under Tayyip’s rule of repression,” demonstrator Emine Altin said.
At least 12 protesters were arrested, police said. Two people, including a police officer, were injured and left bloodied in the clashes, a reporter saw.
Last month, Erdogan said he was not against the retrial of hundreds of military officers jailed for attempting to topple his Justice and Development Party.
The government last week presented to parliament a bill clearing the way for the army officers to be retried.
AFP
