EP socialists: "We're deeply concerned about developments in Turkey"

Jan Marinus Wiersma and Hannes Swoboda, vice chairs of the EP's second-biggest group, the Socialists, yesterday stated that they were deeply concerned about the recent detention of journalists in Turkey under the ongoing Ergenekon probe, urging Turkish authorities to abide by the principles of freedom of speech. They added that they expected prosecutors and the judiciary to treat the matter impartially based on concrete evidence. Wiersma and Swobada also stressed the importance of Turkey strengthening its democracy and continuing its reform process to fulfill the Copenhagen political criteria. "European Union candidate Turkey should strengthen its democratic, secular state," said Wiersma. "There's no place for either the army or religion in politics."