Contradictory Statements From FM and TIB

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu pointed out that YouTube case was related to the national security. He said that across the world each country took precautions if there was a case connected with their national security. 

FM Ahmet Davutoğlu made a press statement after the NATO Foreign Ministries Assembly Margin attended by Stefan Füle, the member in charge of Expansionary and Neighborhood Policy of EU Commission. 

”YouTube ban is linked to the national security and if the subject is national security, each country in the world take the same precautions,” Davutoğlu said in the end of the meeting. 

However, Telecommunications Communication Authorities (TİB), stated that the reason why YouTube had been banned was “the crimes committed against Atatürk”.

Various political figures told Bianet that they haven’t seen this judgement, yet. They don’t know the judgement which included in TİB but has no content.

Altıparmak: If the claim is true, minister violates the law

“A website cannot be banned for “national security” reasons. If the Foreign Minister claims that he violates the law,” Kerem Altıparmak, Assistant Professor Doctor from Ankara University, told bianet.

Altıparmak said that blocking access to the websites can be done by TİB or the court by the law no: 5651. He pointed out the reason of the court was “the crimes committed against Atatürk”.

“With legalization of the law no: 5651 the government defended themselves these changes were made to fit in European Court of Human Rights, banning the whole website is out of question, they would remove only the related content. It has come out as a pure lie.”

Youtube ban was issued on 27 March because of the leaked voice recordings between Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioğlu, National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Undersecretary Hakan Fidan and 5^th Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces Yaşar Güler regarding the Turkey’s Syria Policy. (EA/BD/BM)

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