Toptan: "Turkey can't ignore the German court verdict in lighthouse case"

Turkey cannot ignore this week's German court verdict in a fraud case involving the Lighthouse Foundation, a German-based Turkish charity group, said Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan yesterday. "Following the end of the German trial, our prosecutors should move quickly and do whatever is necessary to expose the Turkish side of the case," he told CNN Turk. Stating that the people's religious feelings were exploited, he commented on the name of Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) head Zahit Akman coming up in the case. "They have no authority to dismiss Akman, (so) everyone should make their own evaluation according to their circumstances," he said. "If everybody acts with the administrative responsibilities they have, everything will go smoothly." In related news, speaking at an iftar dinner, Deputy Prime Minister Hayati Yazici said that if the case reaches into Turkey, officials should do whatever is necessary.