EU to Criticize Turkish Coup Probes in Report, Milliyet Says

The European Union plans to criticize Turkey’s investigation into alleged coup plots and the country’s deteriorating press freedoms in its annual progress report, Milliyet reported, citing a draft text.

The Ergenekon and Sledgehammer trials, targeting groups accused of plotting against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, are a concern because of a lack of information about the evidence used to detain hundreds of suspects, the report will say, according to Milliyet. The arrest of journalists under the legal pretense of combating terrorism is another concern, the newspaper said.