Ergenekon trial divides Turkish media

While newspapers known for being ultra nationalist referred to the Ergenekon trial’s decision as "political revenge," newspapers accused of being pro-government viewed it as a “blow against coup attempt."

Politics
06 Ağustos 2013 Salı 10:48

World Bulletin / News Desk

The decision in the Ergenekon trial, regarded as one of Turkey’s most important trials, yesterday has divided the media. While some newspapers cast the decision as "revenge," some newspapers approach it as a "blow against coup attempt."

Specifically newspapers known for being ultra nationalist seek to portray the Ergenekon trial’s verdict as entirely "political revenge." Media deemed as more centrist preferred to see the trial through the sentencing of retired military chief of staff General Ilker Basbug. While newspapers accused of being pro-government viewed the trials as a “blow against coup attempt" and “punishment of a terror organization.”

Particularly newspapers such as Cumhuriyet, Sözcü and Birgün, which described the case as "the government's game" since its beginning, headlined “revenge.”

Meanwhile Zaman, which closely followed the case from its beginning and therefore became a target several times, referred to the court's "Ergenekon is a terrorist organization" decision to headline "Life imprisonment for armed terrorist organization Ergenekon."

Star newspaper, accused of being close to the government, preferred to see the case according to the "deep state," headlining "Life imprisonment for the Deep State.”

Some of the headlines on the Ergenekon trial follow:

AKŞAM:
Crime and Punishment

BUGÜN:
19 sentenced to life

BİRGÜN:
Aggravated revenge

CUMHURİYET:
Political Revenge with the hand of justice

HABERTÜRK:
22 sentenced to life

HÜRRİYET:
Lifetime in Silivri

MİLLİ GAZETE:
Punishment downpour

MİLLİYET:
Punishment wave

RADİKAL:
Heavy blow against coup attempt

SABAH:
Life imprisonment for 19 coup plotters

STAR:
Life imprisonment for Deep State