Turkey

Turkey: Istanbul Crime Down 25 Percent

Date: October 18th, 2007 |

Istanbul is basking in the glow of a reduced crime rate revealed in a government report that shows crime for the first eight months of the year down 25 percent over the same period last year. Istanbul’s governor attributes the crime reduction to the use of new technology, opening new police stations, reinforcing security [read more]

Turkey: Bombing in Istanbul, PKK Cease-Fire

Date: June 13th, 2007 |

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A small bomb outside a clothing shop near the airport in the Istanbul district of Bakirkoy injured 14 people June 10. Officials blamed Kurdish militants for the attack. The device had been placed under a bench and shattered windows of nearby businesses, with injuries caused by flying glass. The incident occurred just two days before [read more]

Turkey: Spring May Bring Increased Terrorist Violence

Date: March 21st, 2007 |

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In an announcement March 15 the U.S. Embassy warned that the arrival of spring’s warmer weather has traditionally brought an increase in violence by the Kurdish separatist group PKK, and the same could be true this year. The Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK) have also warned that they would attack tourist facilities, but no targets or [read more]

Turkey: Citizens Services at U.S. Embassy Temporarily Closed

Date: November 14th, 2006 |

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The American Citizens Services Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara will be closed Nov. 23-Dec. 3 for renovation of the consular offices. In case of emergencies, consular officials will still be accessible at that time through the main Embassy telephone line at 312 [read more]

Turkey: Terrorist Bombings Target Tourist Areas

Date: August 29th, 2006 |

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Five bomb blasts in less than 24 hours killed three people and injured dozens in popular tourist areas Aug. 27-28. A Kurdish militant group calling itself the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons claimed responsibility for four of the five explosions and warned tourists to stay out of Turkey, saying that the country is not safe. The first [read more]

Turkey: Detention and Fines for Playing Bingo!

Date: October 3rd, 2007 |

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Seven British tourists hoping to win a free drink playing bingo in a bar in Altinkum were arrested, detained for four hours and fined the equivalent of $97. Armed police swept in, insisted the tourists fill out forms identifying themselves, confiscated the bingo ball and then hustled them off by van to the police station. [read more]

Turkey: Bombing in Ankara

Date: May 23rd, 2007 |

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A powerful bomb exploded outside a crowded shopping mall in the capital city of Ankara May 22, killing six and injuring scores. No one immediately claimed responsibility, but PKK Kurdish rebels were suspected. The group ended a unilateral cease-fire May 18 and officials were wary of an attack. The bombing may be the worst incident [read more]

Turkey: Kurdish Group Threatens Tourists

Date: March 7th, 2007 |

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The Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TKK), a Kurdish separatist group that claimed responsibility for several bomb attacks on tourist sites in recent years, warned European tourists to stay away and threatened to target tourists and tourist facilities again. The group’s warning cited arrests of 15 suspected Kurdish terrorists in France and Belgium in February and blames [read more]

Turkey: U.S. Consular Agency in Izmir Closed Till Feb. 5

Date: October 17th, 2006 |

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The U.S. Consular Agency in Izmir is closed until Feb. 5, 2007. Calls to the agency for emergency assistance will be automatically forwarded to the offices of American Citizen Services in Ankara, or U.S. citizens can call the U.S. Embassy’s switchboard in Ankara directly at 312 [read more]

Turkey: Two Bombings in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet

Date: August 22nd, 2006 |

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Two bombs in two days exploded in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet neighborhood, home to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. Three Turks were injured, one seriously, in the first blast, and no one was hurt in the second. Both were believed to be percussion bombs. No one has claimed responsibility for t [read more]

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