News on Istanbul

Turkey's army chief denies mass resignations: report

2010-03-14T09:15:29Z

<div><p>ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey's military chief denied reports that top commanders had threatened to resign en masse after more than 30 officers were arrested last month on charges of planning a coup in 2003, Milliyet said on Sunday.</p><p>Tensions between the staunchly secular military and Turkey, there?s no problem finding entertainment (or relaxation) for every member of the family. For the kids there are the wonderful beaches; for the parents there is the fascinating history; and for the grandparents, if they?re lucky enough to be invited, well, there?s a whole world of fun in Turkey! By the time many people reach their later years, as long as they are in good health and have an adventurous spir...

Turkey: Guard shoots man at Ukrainian Consulate

2010-03-09T03:30:09Z

<div id="subtitle">Official: Guard shoots armed man trying to enter Ukrainian consulate in Istanbul</div><div><p>A security officer guarding the Ukrainian consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday shot and injured an armed man who claimed to be carrying a bomb, Istanbul Gov. Muammer Guler said.</p><p>Guler said the man, a Turk, tried to enter the building because o...

Fire breaks out at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport

2010-03-07T14:30:25Z

<div><p>ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A fire broke out at a power generation unit at Istanbul's main Ataturk Airport Sunday evening, state run news agency Anatolian reported.</p><p>The fire only affected generators at the airport's natural gas-fired power unit, nearly 200 meters a...

Turkish filmmaker takes aim at U.S. and Israel

2010-03-05T10:33:20Z

<div><p>ISTANBUL (Reuters Life!) - Israel may not like it, but a popular Turkish TV and film franchise which once depicted a Jewish doctor stealing organs from Muslim prisoners in Iraq now has plans to release a film set in Palestine.</p...

TURKEY POP STAR

2010-03-01T10:18:38Z

Turkish pop singer Tarkan waves cheering supporters after his release outside a courthouse in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, March 1, 2010. Turkish police detained Tarkan, the country's best-known pop star, in a narcotics raid Friday in Istanbul along with nine other people. Tarkan, who only uses one name, and others were detained for their alleged links with two drug dealers being monitored by narcotics agent...

Two more charged in Turkey coup probe: report

2010-03-01T01:16:34Z

<div><p>A Turkish court has charged two more army officers over an alleged 2003 plot to overthrow the Islamist-rooted government, Anatolia news agency reported Monday.</p><p>The latest charges, late Sunday, bring the number of suspects held to 35.</p><p>The court ordered that the pair -- a colonel heading the paramilitary force in the central Konya provi...

Renewed tension looms in Turkey after military arrests

2010-02-27T04:45:17Z

<div><p>ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A retired Turkish general charged over a plot to unseat the government said "the struggle has now started," as a string of high-profile arrests risks renewed strain between Ankara and the military.</p><p>Two former generals, the most senior figures arrested so far over an alleged 2003 plo...

Turkish PM warns army as coup probe widens

2010-02-26T15:15:57Z

<div><p>Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned the army Friday that no one was above the law as a key suspect was charged and more soldiers were detained in a massive probe into an alleged 2003 coup plot.</p><p>"Those who make plans behind closed doors to crush the people's will must see that from now on they will face justice," Erdogan said in Ankar...

High-ranking military arrests stir fresh Turkey concern

2010-02-26T14:16:22Z

<div><p>ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Two retired generals were charged on Friday over a plot to unseat the government, raising the stakes in a potential stand-off between the ruling party and armed forces that has hit Turkish markets.</p><p>The two were the most senior military figures so far to be charged over an alleged 2003 plot. Hours earlier, police had conducted...

Turkey's top pop star detained in anti-drug sting

2010-02-26T07:16:44Z

<div><p>Turkey's top pop singer Tarkan was detained by police during an anti-drug sting in Istanbul, Anatolia news agency reported Friday.</p><p>Tarkan was rounded up with nine others as security forces nabbed two suspected drug dealers after monitoring them for six months, the report said.</p><p>Police seized a small amount of hashish in Tarkan's country home near ...

Turkish police detain Turkey's top pop star

2010-02-26T07:00:17Z

<div id="subtitle">Turkish police detain Tarkan, Turkey's top pop star, in narcotics sweep</div><div><p>Turkish police detained Tarkan, the country's best-known pop star, in a narcotics raid Friday in Istanbul along with nine other people.</p><p>Tarkan, who only uses one name, and others were detained for their alleged links with two drug dealers being monitored by narc...

TURKEY COUP PLOT

2010-02-25T20:17:26Z

Former Navy Commander Adm. Ozden Ornek arrives at a courthouse in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010. A Turkish court in Istanbul on Thursday charged more ranking military officers with plotting to topple the Islamic-rooted government, increasing the number of jailed officers to 20 _ including five admirals and three generals. The court acted hours before ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey has freed three retired military commanders detained on suspicion of plotting to topple the Islamist-rooted government, but it remains unclear whether they will yet face charges.</p><p>Turkish financial markets will probably welcome on Friday their release as a sign the likelihood ...

Senior suspects released in Turkey coup probe

2010-02-25T13:17:18Z

<div><p>A Turkish court Thursday freed three top-level suspects in an alleged 2003 military coup plot hours after the army chief and civilian leadership pledged to resolve tensions sparked by the probe.</p><p>It was not immediately clear whether the retired generals and admiral would face trial over the plot but the prosecutor in charge said he had released two of them because there was no risk they would flee abroad.</p><p>The former heads of Turkey's navy and air force, Ozden Ornek and Ibrahim Firtina, were freed after being questioned by Prime Ministe...

Turkish leaders pledge to resolve 'coup' row

2010-02-25T11:16:54Z

<div><p>Turkey's army chief and civilian leadership pledged to resolve tensions over an alleged 2003 coup plot after crisis talks Thursday as prosecutors grilled top military figures.</p><p>A statement issued after the talks at the presidential palace said "the problems will be resolved within the constitutional order" and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the gathering as "very good."</p&...

GE to sell $3.3 billion stake in Garanti: GE sources

2010-02-25T08:00:09Z

<div><p>ISTANBUL (Reuters) - General Electric Co (GE) will sell its $3.3 billion stake in Turkey's Garanti Bank, ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Twelve senior Turkish military officers were charged on Wednesday over an alleged plot to topple a government that secularist hardliners fear is pursuing a hidden Islamist agenda.</p><p>Turkey's top military commanders, who have seen the army's role as ultimate guardian of secularism eroded under