AKP Government’s New Stick: TAX Inspections

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.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayd%C4%B1n_Do%C4%9Fan#Tax_investigation
2. http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/koc-firms-subject-to-probes-tax-board.aspx?pageID=238&nID=57874&NewsCatID=345
3. http://www.taraf.com.tr/haber/gulen-i-bitirme-karari-2004-te-mgk-da-alindi.htm
4. http://www.taraf.com.tr/haber/cemaate-vergi-rutini-basladi.htm
5. for the picture: http://www.jpcentresouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/tax-glass.jpg