Turkish Military Spies on Pro-EU Citizens

The Turkish army's secret service has called for information to be gathered on people who show "separatist" tendencies, including those who are pro-EU or pro-U.S., as well as minority groups. Turkish Land Forces Command (KKK) sent a letter to military centers and local governors in January asking them to collect information on certain minorities and groups that carry out "divisive and destructive activities" in Turkey. The ethnic minority groups include Roma, Bosnians and Albanians. Other people to be watched include writers, satanists, sympathisers with the Ku Klux Klan and people involved in Internet groups. The military confirmed newspaper reports on the move, saying that it was legally entitled to take such action, but conceded that parts of the plan should be changed. Human rights groups and civil societies have reacted angrily to the news. (EUobserver.com)