EC says Feb. 28 probe an opportunity for Turkish democracy

In a written statement to Today’s Zaman, the EC said the probe into the military intervention of Feb. 28, 1997 is “an opportunity for Turkey to strengthen confidence in the proper functioning of its democratic institutions and the rule of law.”

Peter Stano, the spokesperson for Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Stefan Füle, also pointed out concerns about the rights of defendants. Stressing that detention on remand should be used only when necessary, Stano said: “The duration of trials involving such detention is kept to the minimum compatible with the quality of the judicial process and the respect for the rights of the defendant. Finally, information on all these issues of general public interest needs to be provided from either the prosecution offices or the courts.” The EC, in a statement last week, also called the commencement of trials of perpetrators of the Sept. 12, 1980 coup “an opportunity” for Turkish democracy.