Turkish Press Review

Turkish dailies covered Ergenekon trial and life sentences demanded by prosecutor, statements of the Turkish prime minister in Gelibolu (Gallipoli), PKK head Ocalan's peace messages at Newroz celebrations, and the identity of Cilvegozu attacker

The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

All of the Turkish dailies covered the final stages of Ergenekon coup case. "Life sentences to Ergenekon", headlined daily TURKIYE and noted that the 2,271-page long prosecutor's opinion underlined the existence of "Ergenekon terrorist organization" and demanded aggravated life in prison for retired Gen. Hursit Tolon, retired Gen. Hasan Igsiz, retired Gen. Ilker Basbug, retired Gen. Sener Eruygur and six times aggravated life in prison for retired Brigadier Veli Kucuk. As CUMHURIYET is critical to the case, MILLIYET underlines the demanded sentences as "record-breaking".

Several Turkish dailies covered the statements of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his visit to the northwestern province of Canakkale to attend the ceremonies to be held to mark the 98th anniversary of the victory in the Battle of Gelibolu (Gallipoli). "One nation, one flag, one country and one state" headlined daily SABAH and quoted Turkish PM Erdogan as saying, "98 Years ago, our sense of nation's manifest was written in Canakkale. And as of today, being inspired by that, we will carry our consciousness forward. By saying one nation, one flag, one country and one state, we will walk to future together."

Turkish dailies also covered the beginning of Newroz celebrations in several provinces around Turkey. "Newroz fire lit up early" headlined daily MILLIYET marking the beginning of Newroz, a spring festival highly important to Kurds, in 17 provinces of Turkey. "Peace vow at squares" headlined daily SABAH referring to the address of Peace and Democracy (BDP) lawmakers where Selahattin Demirtas said, "All parties united for peace" and Sirri Sakik said, "Let's bury weapons to the dump of history." 

Dailies also covered the third parliamentarian visit to Imrali island where PKK terror organization's jailed head Abdullah Ocalan stays and Ocalan's peace messages for the Newrouz. "Promise of withdraw" headlined daily HURRIYET and covered the visit of Peace and Democracy (BDP) lawmakers who came back with the message of jailed head Ocalan. The daily claims that for the first time Ocalan documented the use of "withdraw" and made a call to the Turkish parliament. Moreover, the daily stressed that the message will be released in Newrouz.

Lastly, daily MILLIYET stated that the the identity of an assailant who carried out the bomb attack at Cilvegozu border crossing more than a month ago was covered in an exclusive story. The MILLIYET said, the Syrian Intelligence Agency, El-Muhaberat agent Wael Shkih Rahim was pictured when he was entering Turkey. The explosion, which had taken place at the Cilvegozu border gate on February 11, killed 14, including four Turks, and wounded 25.