The head of European Parliament Jerzy Buzek strongly criticized the “unusually high number of journalists imprisoned and arrested in Turkey,” Hurriyet Daily News reportes.

 “The argument that journalists are active against the government is unacceptable. It is typical for journalists to write and question the government. That should not be surprising,” he said at a press conference in Ankara.

He stressed that the European Parliament is concerned with the current state of affairs in Turkey regarding freedom of the press and freedom of expression.

 “I understand that your authorities say it is an issue of antiterrorism and not an attempt to stifle freedom of expression issue. But we disagree,” Buzek said stressing the need to amend Turkish anti-terror laws and media laws.