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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.