NEWS

Today, Dink case started with the defence of Ali Fuat Yılmazer, former chief of the Office C of Istanbul Directorate of Security Intelligence Branch. After the lunch break, Yılmazer stated that he won't continue and said, “You are a project court.”

Armenia, like Turkey, is waiting for the ballot boxes. The parliamentary election will be held on April 2. This is the first election after the constitutional amendment that would transfer the authority of the president to the parliament and the prime minister was passed and the most important question is whether the current government will maintain its power.

In Dink case, Ali Fuat Yılmazer, former chief of the Office C of Istanbul Directorate of Security Intelligence Branch, continues to present his defence. Saying that they decided to wiretap Tuncel's phone, but there is no record, Yılmazer stated, "There is a serious ruse."

New round of trials of public officials starts today. The hearing will continue on March 14, 16 and 17.

CHP Istanbul MP Selina Doğan commemorated Armenian writers and thinkers Elbis Gesaratsyan, Sırpuhi Düsap, Zabel Asadur, Zabel Yesayan ve Hayganuş Mark, who are considered as the first feminists of Turkey, in the parliament.

This year, March 8 may be one of the strongest reactions of the women's movement against “one-man” policies of governments. 30 countries responded to the general strike call that was initiated by anti-Trump women's movement in the US. In Turkey, a women's demonstration was held in Istanbul and the “Feminist Night March” will be held on March 8.

Curfew is lifted in Xerabê Bava (Koruköy) and Talatê (Doğanlı) villages in Mardin. First photos from the villages show the destroyed houses.

Garo Paylan appealed to the Constitutional Court, demanding the reverse of the punishment that he was subjected because he said “genocide” in the parliament. The Court rejected the demand.

Azerbaijan issued arrest warrant for members of the European Parliament who visited Karabakh to monitor the referendum for constitutional amendment.

Amnesty International released the annual international report covering 150 countries on human rights. It is stated that “the cynical use of ‘us vs them’ narratives of blame, hate and fear" creates a more divided and dangerous world. For Turkey, 2016 was a year in which violations of human rights have increased with the state of emergency.