The EFJ condemned the police violence against journalists during May Day demonstrations in Istanbul. This is completely unacceptable and we ask the Turkish government to take the responsibility, said EFJ chair Arne Konig.

Birgün daily correspondent Alkan had been acquitted in a case where she was tried with rendering a public officer target for terrorist organizations regarding a news article she write on the infamous Spice Market explosion in 1988.

EU commissioner for enlargement Olli Rehn said that the commission welcomed the announcement of elections in Turkey, noting it would bring political stability to the country. Rehn said civilian supremacy over the military is a basic principle for the EU.

The MPs vote in favor of early general elections due on July 22, following a political crisis on presidential election. The Constitutional Court annulled the election on ruling AKPs candidate Gul and the opposition blocked the system as of now.

European Trade Union Confederation General Secretary John Monks criticized the excessive use of force by the Istanbul police towards demonstrators in Tuesdays May Day rally. Monks protested the arrest of union leaders and expressed solidarity.

At least eight journalists were subjected to police violence while trying to cover the May Day demonstrations in Istanbul. The city was paralyzed as mayor Güler cancelled all public transportation and the police employed excessive force to anyone in sight

More than 900 people have been battered and arrested by the police trying to hold a May Day rally in Istanbul. All roads and transportation leading to Taksim square were blocked since early morning. Its like martial law in the city said DİSK lawyer.

According to economist Yılmaz and Prof. Dr. Ercan, the government, the opposition, the military, and the capital agree on keeping labor under control. Yılmaz states democracy is not questioned. There can be no democracy without labor rights.

In first three months of the year, four new cases from article 301 of the Penal Code launched while journalists mourn for the loss of their colleague Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink. Rising nationalist wave translate as restrictions on activists.

Hundreds of thousands flock to streets in Istanbul in support of the secular republic. As the presidential deadlock continues, the army threatens the Islamist-rooted government but demostrators say neither Sharia, nor coup detat.

Two reporters of the late Nokta news magazine are subjected to judicial investigations for their pieces about the military and security forces. The magazine had been closed because of pressure following articles critical of the army.

Wife of T.E. Geske, who had been brutally murdered as working in a Christian publishing house two weeks ago, Susanne says she will pursue a case against the authorities for failing to protect her husband and two others despite open threats.

An Istanbul court lifts the ban on acces to the website antoloji.com, implemented with regard to alleged defamatory remarks, after 18 days. After YouTube and Eksisozluk, this is another case where courts rule to completely black out websites.

Turkish government, although in a mild tone, turns down the armys warning for secularism, saying they are the governments subordinate. Analysts worried of impending stand-off between the army and government, hinging around the presidential elections.

Activists present 168 000 signatures to the parliamentary comission on global warming, and urge the government sign the Treaty. Turkey contributes so much to global greenhouse emissoins and is one of the few countries who abstains ratification critics say

The security forces killed a child trying to trap two pro-Kurdish guerillas last year. Rights activists prepared a report and denounced the incident. Public Prosecutors Office files a trial accusing activists of degrading the military.

PM Erdogan nominates current Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul as his partys presidential candidate. Ruling AKP holding the majority of seats in the parliament, Gul is expected to be elected in coming days while critics say the system is anti-democratic.

An abandoned ammunition went of in the southeastern city of Şırnak, killing one child and injuring three others. The Ottawa Treaty, ratified by Turkey in 2003 obliges state parties to clear all abondened ammunition and protect civilians in risky regions.

Weekly newsmagazine Nokta is closed with an unexpected decision by its owner following two consecutive articles critical of the Turkish army. Editor-in-chief Görmüş noted that amounting pressure from the General Staff led to this end.

BIA organizes a rights journalism seminar for a dozen of voluntary young reporters for the Armenian-Turkish weekly Agos. Following the murder of its founder Hrant Dink, last January, all participants say this is a show of solidarity with Agos.