The bodies of 28 mine workers who died in a gas explosion on 17 May were found on Thursday. The explosion happened in a mine of the Turkish Coal Corporation Karadon Enterprise Directorate in Zonguldak (Black Sea coast). Two workers are still missing.

Prime Minister Erdoğan blamed the media and the opposition to "set a place in an uproar" in a meeting with Provincial Chairman. He said that columnists are turning the country upside down and put a strain on the country.

The Turkish book "Freedom of Thought 2009" was published as part of the Initiative against Crime of Thought. The book includes punishments and trials based on thoughts, banned publications and events and legal regulations for 'crimes of thought'.

The 7th report of the Alevi Workshop was presented to the prime minister on 7 February. The report does not include the requests put forward by the Alevi associations in the first workshop.