What Turkey's Cumhuriyet case tells us

Former President Abdullah Gül recently said that journalists who are being tried should not be imprisoned. He said this in response to a question about the case against daily Cumhuriyet journalists, which was seen last week and which has attracted international attention and condemnation. 

Gül believes that trying journalist without imprisoning them "will ease pressure on the government at home and abroad." One wonders whether he uttered his remark out of democratic instincts, or merely - as he appears to be saying - to help "reduce pressure on the government."

His many lofty past pronouncement on behalf of democracy and freedoms have had no effect on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, or the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) that he co-founded with Erdoğan.
 
Gül once again did not push hard for his views in this regard either, clearly not wanting to leave Erdoğan or the AKP in a difficult situation. His first allegiance, as he has admitted when asked if he was considering establishing a new political party, has always been to the AKP.

He could not come out therefore - despite his claim to be a staunch supporter of advanced democracy - and say that the Cumhuriyet case represents "injustice at home and disgrace in the world," as Hürriyet Daily News editor-in-chief Murat Yetkin put it succinctly in a recent article.

Gül's remark nevertheless reveals an awareness that we are faced with an anomalous situation in Turkey with regard to cases against journalists.  This applies especially to the Cumhuriyet case, which is based on evidence that objective judicial experts say would not stand up in a proper courtroom.

Many believe the Cumhuriyet case is a political one through which the government, which in today's...