Mahmut Tanal, member of the Turkish Parliament from CHP opposition party said, “An attack on Zaman equals an attack on citizens’ freedom of information. They are afraid of what the citizens might find out about them. This attack on Zaman also equals an attack on freedom of thought and expression.” Former Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay also spoke to Today’s Zaman on Friday, saying the country is heading towards a very dangerous place. “This [latest act of trustee appointment] has moved beyond a political fight. We are heading towards chaos where all rules, principles and institutions are being destroyed.” It is interesting that on Thursday, Twitter whistleblower Fuat Avni claimed that the President Erdoğan, who “has no tolerance for any media group that would criticize his plans for a presidential switch,” ordered the seizure of Zaman daily, the main newspaper under the Feza Media Group.”
