Marmara Region

Controversial Russian warship returns to Bosphorus

A Russian warship which sparked controversy over its "provocative" passing through Istanbul's Bosphorus returned to the strait eight days later, this time with no soldiers holding missiles.

The Russian warship, named the Caesar Kunikov, passed through the Bosphorus on Dec. 14 after arriving from the Mediterranean Sea and passing through the Dardanelles Strait on Dec. 13.

Turkish government decides on broad expropriation for giant road project

The Turkish government has decided on the urgent expropriation of some 30 villages and neighborhoods in two Turkish provinces in the northwestern Marmara region as part of the ongoing road project to construct a new route connecting Istanbul and the Aegean city of ?zmir. 

The plan also includes a giant suspension bridge to bypass ?zmit Bay. 

Ankara summons Russian envoy over 'provocative' passing of Russian ship through Bosphorus

The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned Russian ambassador in Ankara Andey Karlov on Dec. 7 in protest of the "provocative" passage of a Russian warship through Istanbul's Bosphorus Strait.

In his meeting with General Director Burak Özügergin, Ankara warned the Russian envoy over such "provocative acts," according to Turkish diplomatic sources. 

Ankara to summon Moscow envoy over 'provocative' passing of Russian ships through Bosphorus

The Turkish Foreign Ministry is prepared to summon Russia's ambassador in Ankara on Dec. 7 in protest of the "provocative" passage of a Russian warship through the Bosphorus Strait, Turkish officials told Hürriyet Daily News. 

Man charged in plot to kill Uzbek dissident in Istanbul

An Uzbek national has been charged in Istanbul for plotting to kill a leading Uzbek dissident, according to prosecutors.

The suspect, identified as M.D., appeared in court late Dec. 3 and was held in custody on a charge of plotting to kill Mohammad Salih, who heads the Uzbekistan People's Movement, and his son Timur.

UPD: 5 injured at Bayrampasa metro station bomb blast (see video)

A blast was reported at Bayrampaşa metro station on the European side of Istanbul. As a result of the explosion, the operation of trains has stopped. Initial reports stated that the explosion had been caused by a power transformer and that one person had been killed, however these early reports were negated.

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