Turkish police accused

STRASBOURG (AFP) - Torture and mistreatment of detainees continued to be widespread in Turkey, despite efforts undertaken by the Turkish government to halt the practice, a European panel said here yesterday.

The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture said in a public declaration that most violations occurred at the hands of the police and, to a lesser degree, the paramilitary gendarmerie. The report, drawn up after three fact-finding visits to Turkey by committee members, said, however, that 'there were practically no allegations of torture' in Turkish prisons.