Erdogan: premier, rechter en opperbaas

The tape posted on YouTube on March 3 was the undisputed number-one hit of the week. Wiretapped illegally in early July 2013, it contains Erdogan’s conversations with then-Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, in which he seeks to make sure that Turkey’s media giant, Dogan, receives a heavy sentence in an ongoing court case. Dogan remains Turkey’s largest independent media group, even though it was forced to contract under government pressure, with Erdogan known to be bent on destroying the group.

In the first call, Erdogan makes the following remarks: “We’ve spoken about a case, the Aydin Dogan case   I guess there is a hearing tomorrow at the lower court   You need to follow things up. The hearing may be held on Tuesday as well   Follow it closely to make sure it’s not neglected.” The justice minister answers: “Understood, sir. We’ve been already following it.” Erdogan then says: “Apparently, there will be a very heavy thing for them   That’s why it’s important.” Ergin answers again, “Understood.”

What Erdogan means by “a very heavy thing” is obvious: He wants a very heavy sentence for the Dogan group. The court case in question pertains to Dogan’s purchases of low-tax paper via off-shore companies in the late 1990s. According to sources close to the group, Dogan was acquitted five times in the case, but each time, upper courts overturned the ruling. Erdogan’s second conversation with the justice minister comes right after the sixth acquittal.