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ISTANBUL— A diplomatic dispute between Ankara and its Western allies continues to grow over the presence of senior foreign diplomats at the trial of two Turkish journalists. Turkey's Justice and Foreign ministries are accusing the diplomats of interference in Turkey’s judiciary.
"Unacceptable," tweeted Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag, irked by the presence of foreign diplomats at Friday’s trial of journalists Can Dundar and Erdem Gul.
Consular representatives from many of Turkey’s key Western allies were in the courtroom. If convicted, the journalists face life imprisonment for articles accusing the government of arms smuggling to Syrian jihadists.
The large turnout of senior diplomats was widely interpreted as a show of support for Dundar and Gul, whose trial has been strongly criticized internationally.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry also expressed concern Monday and said it had lodged formal complaints.
The criticism comes after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan strongly criticized his allies Saturday.
Speaking about the consuls-general in Istanbul who attended the trial, he asked, "Who are you? What business do you have there?" Diplomacy has a certain propriety and manners he said, referring to the diplomats. "This is not your country."
Turkey’s dominant pro-government media echoed those sentiments. One newspaper’s headline read, “Crusader Unity for Journalists,” while another said, “Invasion of the Courtroom.”
 
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