France: Turkey's Seizure of Zaman Newspaper 'Unacceptable'
Turkey 'can't want to get closer to European standards and not respect the pluralism of the media,' French foreign minister says.
John Irish
Riot police officers at the headquarters of Zaman newspaper in Istanbul, Sunday, March 6, 2016.Police used tear gas and water cannons for a second day running to disperse hundreds of protesters who gaCredit: AP/Emrah Gurel
John Irish
REUTERS - France's foreign minister said on Monday the decision by Turkish authorities to seize control of the country's largest newspaper was "unacceptable" and went against European values.
- Turkish President Using His Power to Stamp Out Freedom of Press
- Turkish Daily's First Edition After Government Takeover Adopts pro-Erdogan Line
- Turkish Police Clash With Protesters Outside Newspaper Seized by Government
"It's not acceptable. We can't want to get closer to European standards and not respect the pluralism of the media. It's obvious and we've said it clearly to the Turks," Jean-Marc Ayrault told France Inter radio.
Turkish authorities seized control of the Zaman newspaper, the country's top-selling newspaper on Friday, at the request of an Istanbul prosecutor.