Black Day For Freedom of Expression
Kurdish Info, Germany
Sept 7 2006
Bianet-Turkish courts are geared up to hear 45 press and freedom of
expression cases until the end of the year. First case starts with
the Kirandi trial on September 8 while eight journalists, writers and
publishers are to face judges on October 5.
With the judiciary recess ending on September 6, bianet has
established that Turkish courts are to hear 45 press and freedom of
expression cases until the end of the year.
While the first press freedom trial will be heard this week on
September 8, eyes are focused on October 5 when eight defendants
including journalist Ipek Calislar and publisher Ragip Zarakolu will
face judges in press and freedom of expression trials.
Calislar and Tatlican Face "Ataturk" case
On October 5 Thursday, journalist Ipek Calislar and "Hurriyet"
newspaper editor Necdet Tatlican will appear before a court on trial
for the book "Latife Hanim", a biography of modern Turkey’s founder
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s partner Latife, published by Dogan Publishing
House.
Calislar, an experienced journalist of 36 years and author of the
best-seller "Latife Hanim", is being charged for quoting a story from
Latife’s sister Vecihe where Ataturk allegedly avoids his opponents
by putting on a scarf and fleeing a house while pretending to be a
woman.
A reference to the anecdote in a June 4, 2006 interview with the
daily Hurriyet and the story she relayed in the book brings her and
Tatlican before a court on charges of insulting Atatuk under a 1951
dated "Law to Protect Ataturk". Each face a prosecutor’s demand for
up to 4.5 years imprisonment.
Journalist Saymaz on trial for "torture" claim
The same day Calislar and Tatlican appear before a judge, "Radikal"
newspaper reporter Ismail Saymaz will appear at the Bagcilar 2nd
Court of First Instance for violating the country’s Press Law by
printing claims that a child had been tortured.
The journalist is being charged with "influencing justice" through
his news report titled "Torture allegation concerning 11 year old
child".
Zarakolu faces up to 13.5 years jail
The case against Belge Publshing House owner and journalist Ragip
Zarakolu for publishing two books relating to Ottomon history and
developments related to Armenians is also to be hear on October 5.
Zarakolu is on trial for the Turkish versions of Prof. Dr. Dora
Sakayan’s book "Garabed Hacheryan’s Izmir Journal: An Armenian
Doctor’s Experiences " and George Jerjian’s "The Truth Will Set Us
Free: Armenians and Turks Reconciled".
In the trial to be held at the Istanbul 2nd Court of First Instance,
a prosecutor demands up to 13.5 years imprisonment for the publisher.
Tempo’s interview at cort
October 5 will also be the day where "Tempo" magazine reporter Enis
Mazhar Tayman and editor-in-chief Neval Barlas will appear before a
court in relation to an interview conducted with Diyarbakir KURD-DER
spokesman and Rights and Freedoms Party (Hak-Par) former chairman
Ibrahim Guclu.
However, the Bagcilar 2nd Court of First Instance is not interview
Barlas in accordance with the opinion of prosecutor Omer Karacal who
concluded that the author of the interview was identified. Because of
this observers expect the case against Barlas to be dismissed and
that against Tayman to continue.
The two newsmen and Guclu are charged with "insulting Turkism and the
Republic" and "inciting people not to abide by law" through the
interview published in Tempo on December 2, 2005.
Publisher Ozkan’s case may be dismissed
Again the same day Evrensel Basim Yayin publishing house editor
Songul Ozkan and author Ahmet Kahraman will appear before a court for
Kahraman’s book titled "Kurdish Rebellions".
The Beyoglu 2nd Court o First Instance had implied during the
previous hearing on May 25 that as the author of the book was clearly
identifiable he may not be held for the book. A decision may be taken
in this case to dismiss charges against Ozkan and put Kahraman on
trial individually.
New judiciary term starts with Kirandi case
The first freedom of press case to be heard in the new judiciary term
will be held on September 8 with defendants of the so-called "Kirandi
Case" appearing before a court.
On trial are Human Rights Association (IHD) Regional Representative
Mihdi Perincek, IHD Diyarbakir Representative Selahattin Demirtas,
Tunceli Mayoralty Provincial Council Ozgur Soylemez, artist Ferhat
Tunc, journalist-writer Umur Hozatli and Dicle News Agency (DIHA)
reporters Abdulkadir Ozbek and Rustu Demirkaya, Dogan News Agency
(DHA) reporter Ferit Demir ve Anatolian Agency (AA) reporter Haydar
Toprakci".
The group is charged in relation to the August 4, 2005 release of a
kidnapped Turkish soldier by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party
(PKK) and accused of "conducting propaganda of the organization and
its aims" either by being there to receive Kirandi and escort him to
safety or for covering the release. Each defendant on trial in the
case faces up to 5 years imprisonment if found guilty.
06.09.2006 / by Erol Onderoglu
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