AKP
has been using this stick in order to create a ‘calm and obedient’ Turkish
society. This effort has proved itself useful in the last decade, and we will be observers to the process whether it succeeds now or not.
As
much as it may sound fairly ridiculous, Turkish media has not been always about
penguins. The attacks on free speech have always been there. In 90s it was in
the form of ‘murder’ by religious terrorist organizations, in 80s it was simply
under an authoritarian military coup. In the new millennium, Turkish politics
has also improved by adapting to it. This time a more capitalistic, less
questionable method has been put in motion; TAX inspection. Some may say that
if they have nothing to hide, that should not be problem. But let me clear a
point for you. This is Turkey, and nothing is by the book. Yes, Turkey’s
biggest goal has been about writing the constitutional law since her birth. But
it does not necessarily mean that it has been in use. There had been three
military coup d’états, and the most recent one, civil coup d’état of AKP in
Turkey. Even the foundation of the country was somehow related to writing a ‘constitutional
law’ But there is something about Turkey which may be categorized as a ‘must
know’. What is written never applies on daily life, there are always backdoors,
or a point open to interpretation. Below, there are some before and after
interpretation differences, after being the dissident child. AKP is determinant
that it shall be the only voice in Turkey.
Tax Inspections and Fines to National Media
Aydın
Doğan who owned a conglomerate of newspapers, news channels, and magazines received
a tax fine approximately 2.53 Billion USD based on ‘subjective’
evaluations1.
Tax Inspection to Gezi Supporters
The
owner of the luxurious five star hotel siding one of the entrances of Gezi Park
in Taksim, Koç Group, received its fair share from the AKP’s policies. It is
obvious that they were neither backing nor opposing the protests, they simply provided
safety for the people who were heavily affected by the extreme use of tear gas.
One of the refugees of the aforementioned hotel, Divan Hotel, was a German politician, Claudia Roth, defining the scene as ‘battle field like’. The holding's most
profitable companied are under investigation for fraud and tax evasion now. 2
Tax Inspection to Gülen and Hizmet Movement
This
movement has been quite influential in the Turkish politics in the last decade
since it was one of the major fractions that founded AKP. Until AKP came to
power in 2002, the Turkish state tried to oppress this initiative due to their religious
tendencies. This group, usually referred as ‘Cemaat’, holds a position like Tea
Party in the United States, only more conservative and less nationalist.
Fetullah Gülen, the head of this organization is a successful manager of this
umbrella organization combined of different religious fragments in Turkey, yet
not a politician. To make it short, cemaat gained larger autonomy under AKP
Government, and therefore the conflict of interests has started. It is only
surfacing now, but intolerant ruling of AKP had decided to clear cemaat from
Turkish State in 20043. The owners of the companies that are close to this
organization are being investigated for several charges including tax evasion of
course4.
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayd%C4%B1n_Do%C4%9Fan#Tax_investigation
- http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/koc-firms-subject-to-probes-tax-board.aspx?pageID=238&nID=57874&NewsCatID=345
- http://www.taraf.com.tr/haber/gulen-i-bitirme-karari-2004-te-mgk-da-alindi.htm
- http://www.taraf.com.tr/haber/cemaate-vergi-rutini-basladi.htm
- for the picture: http://www.jpcentresouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/tax-glass.jpg