Abdulhamit Bilici

A trustee panel has been appointed to a news agency linked to U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, who the Turkish president accuses of heading a "terrorist organization," days after a similar ruling led to the seizure of the Zaman media group. 

The government played no part in a court decision to appoint trustees to the Zaman media group, the prime minister claimed March 6, one day after trustees seized control of the group amid a bloody police crackdown on protesters.

Turkish police dispersed a crowd of Zaman media group supporters on March 5, a day after an Istanbul court appointed a trustee panel to seize control of the group which has links to U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, who is accused of leading a "terrorist organization" aiming to topple the government. 

A trustee panel has been appointed to a media group considered to be linked to U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, who the Turkish president accuses of heading a "terrorist organization" aiming to topple the government.

Ekrem Dumanl?, editor-in-chief of Daily Zaman, announced his resignation on Oct. 5 due to ?unlawful pressure on press and his personality.?

Journalists have rallied in Istanbul in solidarity with colleagues who have faced politically-motivated attacks and threats in recent weeks.

After gathering in the Tünel neighborhood of the central Beyo?lu district on Oct. 3, journalists marched to Galatasaray Square with placards reading: "Free press cannot be silenced."