His report  will determine if Turkey is in breach of international law on torture.

UN special rapporteur on torture Nils Melzer says he’s looking forward to engaging with the Turkish Government on how to meet the challenges of upholding the rule of law, promoting accountability, and fulfilling the right of reparations for victims, in particular in the aftermath of the attempted coup in July of this year.

During his visit, Melzer will meet with authorities, human rights groups, local and international civil society organizations, victims and their families.

Before leaving, he’ll  host a press conference at the UN House in Ankara next  Friday.

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This further fuels concerns about the erosion of press freedom after July’s thwarted coup.

Turkish police officers detained Murat Sabuncu, the editor of Cumhuriyet, and at least a dozen writers, including several columnists.

Some were taken into custody in early morning raids at their homes.

The arrests will heighten fears about freedom of expression in Turkey, a Nato member that is a candidate for EU accession.

Cumhuriyet, a secularist, left-leaning newspaper, is a rare critical voice in a media landscape dominated by pro-government outlets. It is owned by a not-for-profit foundation.

Government has taken over newspapers and television channels owned by the movement of Fethullah Gulen whom they blame for instigating the failed coup.

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Turkish military authorities say they’re experiencing a personnel deficit due to hundreds of suspensions following the failed military coup.

The nine pilots were released on probation after being held as suspected supporters of the Gulen movement that authorities blame for coup.

Fetullah Gulen, who lives in exile in the United States, denies this.

264 Air Force pilots were fired for being being so-called Gullenists.

Turkey is trying to get Greece to extradite eight military officers who commandeered a helicopter and sought asylum in Greece shortly after the attempted putsch, saying their lives were in danger if they returned . They denied any involvement in the coup attempt.

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He was speaking after a weekend shooting outside the Royal Palace in Maseru left a private security guard dead and two of Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s bodyguards wounded.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomes the recent deployment of the SADC Electoral Advisory Council to Maseru ahead of elections on the 28^th of February.

He says this will add impetus to current preparations and efforts by the Lesotho Electoral Commission to deliver credible, free and fair elections in which the people of Lesotho can express their democratic will.

The elections, two years early are aimed at restoring peace and stability in Lesotho after a failed coup at the end of August.

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