After being elected into parliament as an independent Thousand Hope candidate in Istanbul, Ufuk Uras, he has rejoined the ÖDP, of which he was chairperson before. This means that there are now six parties in parliament.

The oath-taking ceremony of the new Turkish General Assembly showed the Turkish public that the pro-Kurdish DTP and the nationalist MHP are not necessarily programmed to clash as predicted.

The Supreme Court of Appeals has affirmed the decision of the Sisli 2nd Penal Court to drop the case against writer Orhan Pamuk. The case, brought under Article 301, had been dropped because the Ministry of Justice had withheld permission for prosecution.

The Istanbul Police Department is denying that two police officers tortured lawyer Muammer Öz in Kadikoy, claiming that the victim fell and resisted an ID enquiry. Özs account points to a culture of violence and arrogance among the police.

Last week the Ministry of Justice announced changes in the regulations concerning visitors of detainees and prisoners. Now officers will decide whether visitors are objectionable. MPs will not be allowed to visit prisons unless in relevant comissions.

As the European Commission prepares to publish its progress report on Turkey on 7 November, it is certainly also looking at the courts. After the summer break, the courts will hear more than 40 cases concerning freedom of expression.

The RSF has condemned the attack on journalist Sinan Tekpetek of the Yüzde 52 Öfke magazine: The attack by those who are charged with the protection of citizens is unacceptable. The attackers need to be found.

The ECHR has decreed that the punishment of journalist Ziya Ulusoy was unfounded. However, the penalization of former Kayseri mayor Sükrü Karatepe has been found legitimate.

Prof. Dr. Baskin Oran, who had stood as an independent candidate in Istanbul but who did not get elected, has decided to complain about the unfavourable conditions for independent candidates to the ECHR.

The government is planning to solve the current water crisis through privatisation. However, environmental engineer Tuncaelli calls for water services to remain public, as water is a vital right.

What stuck most in mind after Republican Rallies was how many women had taken part. We have asked women about their thoughts on AKP, after the partys landslide in elections. Some fear sharia, while others say there is nothing to be frightened of.

The Chief of General Staff, General Yasar Büyükanit, has claimed that he believes that the e-memorandum did not affect the results of the elections. The DTP has applied to form a parliamentary group. Sener is open to politics.

The election results have been finalised. There will be 549 MPs in the 23rd parliament. 341 from the AKP, 112 from the CHP, and 70 from the MHP. There are 26 independent candidates.

Two men who had been caught firing shots during the 40th day commemoration mass for murdered journalist Hrant Dink have been released, despite their statements that they were targeting Armenian Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan.

Nevertheless, the real struggle begins only now. The damaging actions of the last AKP government and the absence of a meaningful opposition are not forgotten, and lessons have certainly been learned.

The European Court of Human Rights is going to hear the appeals of former Kayseri mayor Sükrü Karatepe, who has been convicted of inciting hatred and hostility and of Ziya Ulusoy, who had been sentenced to 16 months imprisonment.

Human rights activists claim that the amendments to the Law on Powers and Tasks of the Police have led to an increase in torture. The law legitimises random detentions and the use of force.

Having arised victorious from the elections Prime Minister Erdogan vowes to promote pro-Western, business friendly ideals and promises to work for peace while remaining ready for any contingency operation to protect the motherland.

Yet another local journalist, Umut Karakoyun in Tunceli, has been affected by Article 301. Karakoyun is being tried for claiming judiciary bias. Hes tried for criticizing the local administrator.

Abdullah Gül has hinted at a renewed candidacy for president after the election results. However, in our street survey we found that even those who voted for the AKP are not particularly interested in the office of president.