Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

“THE ARMENIAN IDENTITY HAS BEEN DEMONIZED IN TURKEY FOR A LONG TIME”

March 26 2013

According to Mustafa Edip Yılmaz, the editor of international
political news at Zaman, a Turkish daily newspaper, personal
initiatives in Turkey are at the civil society level, and it is not
the sentiment shared by the government.

* Mr. Yılmaz, the parties may mention different reasons for the
failure of the process of normalizing the Armenia-Turkey relations,
but I would like you to assess it in the context of the Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s “Zero Problems With Neighbors Policy.” What
is the reason for Turkey’s starting the process of normalizing the
Armenia-Turkey relations and then blocking them, in your opinion?

* I think that the government realized that in reality, everything was
harder to implement than they had thought before that. They realized
that it was hard to normalize the relations with Armenia and open the
border at the same time. Basically, it later turned out that it was
an initiative that needed greater effort and courage. Now the issue
is whether there is a possibility of starting the process anew. I
think that such a thing will hardly happen in the near future, because
four years ago when the protocols were signed and ought to be signed,
there was very strong international support. Whereas today we don’t
see such support from the international community.

* The attitude of the Azeri government toward the possible
normalization of the Armenia-Turkey relations has been rather obvious
starting from the process of the Armenia-Turkey protocols to Turkish
President Abdullah Gul’s congratulations to Serzh Sargsyan after the
presidential election. How will you explain this phenomenon?

* Azerbaijan is an irreplaceable ally for Turkey in the region.

Therefore, I don’t think that Turkey’s attitude toward this whole
conflict will change, unless, of course, there is mutual understanding
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We should remember that the closing
of borders is not the reason for the conflict; it is a result of
the conflict.

* Besides political processes, one can notice a change in the sentiment
among intellectuals in Turkey toward Armenia and the Armenian people,
in general. Do you, as a representative of an information agency,
sense those changes?

* Let me say that we can notice a really big improvement in this area.

Today there are many individuals in Turkey who do some things on
their own initiative; for example, they initiate that process of
“apologizing” to Armenia. Certainly, one must not forget that these
initiatives are individual and are completely at the civil society
level; it is not the sentiment shared by the Turkish government.

However, we surely have to objectively see and notice a difference
between the government and if not the whole society, at least, some
parts of it. If I may say so, the Armenian identity has been demonized
in Turkey for a long time, to such an extent that when one was called
“son of an Armenian,” it was considered as an insult. I am absolutely
against such approaches. We don’t choose our nationality, and it is
not the factor that one can or cannot be proud of. I for one don’t
see any difference between Kurds and Turks, as far as human values
are concerned.

EMMA GABRIELYAN

Read more at:

© 1998 – 2013 Aravot – News from Armenia

From: Baghdasarian

HERITAGE LEADER: THIS IS NOT BARGAINING FOR POSITIONS BUT DIVISION OF POWER WITH PEOPLE

13:42 27/03/2013 ” POLITICS

This is not bargaining for positions. This is not a coalition. This is
the minimum threshold, division of the power with the people. This is
a complex resolution, Heritage leader, former presidential candidate
Raffi Hovannisian told a news conference at Liberty Square when
commenting on the proposals he sent to President Serzh Sargsyan.

Hovannisian said he is not going to bargain but he is ready to listen
to Serzh Sargsyan’s proposals, adding that he has sufficient resources
to make appointments to the mentioned positions.

The Heritage leader announced that after April 9, he and the majority
of the people will no longer be opposition.

“On April 9, there will be the inauguration of a new Armenia and then
we will decide what to do after consulting with the people,” he said.

According to the official results of the presidential elections in
Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan won the elections with 58.64% of the votes,
while his closest rival, Raffi Hovannisian, received 36.75% of the
votes. Hovannisian disagrees with the election results and is holding
mass protest actions. He began hunger strike at Liberty Square on
March 10 evening.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Baghdasarian

MKHITARYAN CRITICIZES TEAMMATES FOR LACK OF ENTHUSIASM

12:36 27.03.2013

Armenia and FC Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has
criticized some of his teammates over lacking enthusiasm on the pitch
after Armenia suffered a painful defeat in a home match against the
Czech team in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

“We have lost because some of my teammates did not play with their
heart and soul,” said the 24-year-old Armenian star, according to
Sport-Express.

“When playing for the national team one has to give his best rather
than make a show,” added Mkhitaryan.

Meanwhile, head choach Vardan Minasyan said “we are not tasked to
qualify for the World Cup.” “The goal is to improve the quality of the
game,” he added.

From: Baghdasarian

TURKEY AND ARMENIA AT LOGGERHEADS – HUFFINGTON POST

TERT.AM
27.03.13

Turkey and Armenia missed an historic opportunity to improve ties
when Turkey refused to ratify the Protocols on the Establishment
of Diplomatic and Bilateral Relations signed on October 10,
2009. Rather than rapprochement, Armenians are now fully mobilized
to organize worldwide activities commemorating the one hundred year
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on April 24, 2015. Armenia would
never sacrifice gaining greater global recognition of genocide for
cross-border cooperation with Turks. However, trade can still play
a helpful role reducing tensions and creating positive momentum in
Turkish-Armenian relations.

More than a closed border, Turks and Armenians are divided by
different perceptions of history. More thanone million Armenians
perished during the final years of the Ottoman Empire between 1915
and 1923. Turkey disputes these facts, referring to the events as
“shared suffering.” Turkey demands a joint historical commission
to address the “Armenian question.” The political impasse between
Turkey and Armenia is compounded by Ankara’s linking of relations
with Armenia to resolution of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh where
Armenians and Azerbaijanis fought a brutal war displacing 600,000
people in the early 1990s.

The governments of Turkey and Armenia may be at loggerheads,
but Turks and Armenians are still engaging in economic diplomacy,
working on cross-border activities beneath the radar. Commercial
contact involves mostly “suitcase trade” involving consumer goods
transported from Turkey through Georgia to Armenia.

But bigger business is possible. Armenia could sell surplus electricity
to Turkey which needs energy to power its economic boom.

Armenia could also tap into Turkey’s state-of-the-art fiber optic
cable to meet its growing demand for Internet. Railway service between
Kars in Turkey and Gyumri in Armenia could resume when Turkey opens
its border gate. In anticipation, Armenia could begin conforming the
country’s Soviet-era railway gauge to Turkish and European standards.

In addition, Qualifying Industrial Zone (QIZ) could be established
to catalyze joint enterprises between Turks and Armenians. A QIZ
is an industrial park and a free-trade zone, which is linked to
a free-trade agreement with the United States. Goods qualify when
partners contribute raw material, labor, or manufacturing. Kazan, an
area in Armenia on the Turkish border, would be a suitable destination
for joint ventures in textile and piece goods manufacturing.

The QIZ should proceed with steps to relax restrictions on the
surface transport of commercial goods. Armenian trucks are allowed
to use Turkey as a transit country, but can’t off-load on Turkish
soil. The same holds true for Turkish trucks transiting through
Armenia. Trucks should be allowed to transfer goods destined for
markets in the neighboring countries, with Turkey and Armenia
identified as destinations in the export registry.

Normalized travel and trade would also stimulate the tourist industry.

Many Armenians are coming from Russia to cultural sites in Eastern
Turkey. Allowing Armenian tourist buses to cross the Turkish-Armenian
border would be a windfall for local business. Charter flights between
the eastern Turkish city of Van and Yerevan would enhance commercial
contact and a Turkish Airlines office in Yerevan would boost travel.

The Ani Bridge across the Akhurian River, which symbolized the
connection between Armenian civilization and the Anatolian plain,
should be restored.

A useful database is being prepared by the Turkish-Armenian Business
Development Council profiling opportunities and connecting potential
business partners. Linkages could also be established between
local chambers of commerce and mayors with the goal of establishing
sister-city relationships and fostering trade and investment.

Such civil society and private sector initiatives have intrinsic
value. Moreover, they can also incentivize official diplomacy or
serve as a safety net when diplomacy stalls. They are not, however,
a substitute for official diplomacy.

There is currently no contact between Turkish and Armenian officials.

While the Turkey-Armenia protocols called for a “dialogue on the
historical dimension,” Armenians balked when Turkey demanded a
commission to determine whether the events of 1915 met the definition
of genocide.

Instead of trying to reinvent history, Turkey’s Prime Minister Erdogan
can make history through an executive order to open the border and
normalize travel and trade as a step toward diplomatic relations.

Bolder yet, he could submit the protocols on normalization and
diplomatic relations to the Turkish parliament with his personal
endorsement for ratification.

With an eye on his legacy, Erdogan could also call for parliament
to repeal Article 301 of the penal code, which makes it a crime to
“denigrate Turkishness” and is used to repress free the freedom of
expression. Repealing regressive legislation would make Turks more
free, and also benefit Turkey’s EU aspirations.

Turkey’s moral authority is undermined by the government’s denial of
the Armenian Genocide. On Remembrance Day, April 24, Erdogan should
apologize for what happened to Armenians during the waning days of
the Ottoman Empire. Reconciling with Armenia would help consolidate
Turkey’s role as a regional power, as well as a force for good in
the world.

Mr. Phillips is Director of the Program on Peace-building and Rights
at Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIA WILL DEVELOP COOPERATION IN FRAMES OF FRANCOPHONIE: ARMENIA’S FM

11:20, 27 March, 2013

YEREVAN, AMRCH 27, ARMENPRESS. Armenia wants to develop the role
Francophonie plays in the world and we are actively involved in
this process. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
Armenia Edward Nalbandyan stated this during the conference entitled
“Francophonie: Chance for Armenia?” held on March 26. As reports
“Armenpress” Minister Nalbandyan stated: “Armenia takes part in
the whole range of events of the Francophonie organization creating
favorable conditions for the development of bilateral relations.

Armenia wants to make Francophonie’s role in the international sphere
more significant.”

Among other things the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic
of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan noted that the issue of Francophonie
is of a certain importance for him, as he was the Ambassador of the
Republic of Armenia in France and fostered the process of Francophonie
development. Edward Nalbandyan also laid a heavy emphasis on the
fact that 410 events dedicated to Francophonie have been organized
in Armenia in 2012.

At the course of the conference the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan, Ambassadors of France, Poland,
Switzerland, and Romania, along with the Head of the EU delegation
Tajan Hristea and the Deputy Chairman of Armenia-France friendship
group delivered reports on various issues.

From: Baghdasarian

CONGRATULATIONS TO RE-ELECTED ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SPARK BURBANK HUNGER STRIKE

Burbank Leader, CA
March 26 2013

Ara Manoogian hadn’t eaten for nine days as of Monday, and he was
prepared to go without food for weeks, or even months, more.

Camped in an RV parked outside Rep. Adam Schiff’s Burbank office,
Manoogian said his hunger strike was in protest of President Obama’s
congratulatory remarks toward the re-elected president of Armenia,
Serzh Sargsyan, amid allegations of election fraud and bribery
following what Manoogian called a corrupt regime.

“When the president congratulates something, that means you, me and
everybody else that’s an American citizen is congratulating this
person,” Manoogian said, adding that Sargsyan is using the remarks
to legitimize his election. “Our values are being manipulated and
misrepresented to other countries.”

Presidential runner-up Raffi Hovanissian also declared a hunger strike
March 10 in protest of the official election results.

Manoogian – Burbank resident – lived in Armenia for eight years,
but moved back to the United States in 2005 after his work as a
human rights activist and investigative reporter left him in fear of
his safety.

From: Baghdasarian

USPTO ISSUES TRADEMARK: ARMAVIR VINEYARDS

US Fed News
March 25, 2013 Monday 12:30 PM EST

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 25 — The trademark ARMAVIR VINEYARDS (Reg. No.
4306059) was issued on March 19 by the USPTO.

Owner: TIERRAS DE ARMENIA JOINT STOCK COMPANY ARMENIA 1st, Blind
Alley, M. Khorenatsi Street Building 8, Apt A2 Yerevan ARMENIA. The
trademark application serial number 85414559 was filed on Sept. 2,
2011 and was registered on March 19. The description of the mark
registered is “Color is not claimed as a feature of the mark. The
mark consists of an abstract design consisting of two curved lines
positioned vertically that are tightly close together in the upper
area of the design and come apart from each other in the lower area
of the design. Between the curved lines there is a triangular design.

Below the design appears the wording “ARMAVIR VINEYARDS” in stylized
letters. Below the word “VINEYARDS” appears a horizontal line.” Goods
and Services: Alcoholic beverages except beers. FIRST USE: 20110818.

FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20121231

From: Baghdasarian

PSYCHOLOGICAL OFFENSIVE AGAINST RAFFI HOVANNISIAN

11:13 26/03/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:

Raffi Hovannisian did not hurry to answer Serzh Sargsyan and promised
to do it later in written form. Hovannisian will publish his reply
before sending it because he has promised to refrain from closed
conversations and contacts with the government and other political
parties.

Ostensibly, Serzh Sargsyan’s reply gave Hovannisian a surprise,
and he did not expect to have to reply to such a reply. Otherwise,
Raffi Hovannisian would have predicted this scenario and would not
have delayed his reply. It is not ruled out that Hovannisian had a
scenario but there is another issue.

Perhaps it is not so difficult for Raffi Hovannisian to reply to Serzh
Sargsyan as to explain and substantiate his decision to his supporters
and partners on Freedom Square in case the option of negotiating with
Serzh Sargsyan and stopping his hunger strike is chosen.

It is not clear what Raffi Hovannisian will say but it is obvious
that communication with the square will be complicated, especially
that the PAP and ANC have launched a psychological offensive against
Raffi Hovannisian whose plans are not in line with the negotiations
between Raffi Hovannisian and Serzh Sargsyan.

These negotiations will shade the battle for Yerevan, and though
Yerevan is half of Armenia and victory will create a counterbalance
to the monopoly of the Republican Party, there is a corner stone,
the Constitution, which vests only local powers in the mayor.

In Armenia enforcement of the Constitution and laws is very weak,
of course because the central government does not need that. As soon
as needed, they are enforced “severely”. Consequently, the forces
which have stood up for the battle imagine that the main problem
will be the fight for the role of leader and strengthening their
foothold and remain viable ahead of 2017-2018 and preventing an early
parliamentary election.

When Serzh Sargsyan and Raffi Hovannisian launch negotiations, it
will necessitate recognition of the Heritage as the leader of the
opposition, at least if the negotiations are an imitation. In addition,
it must be an international recognition to some extent. As a result,
the recognition may have different formalizations. And though in
this scenario Raffi Hovannisian may lose part of its public platform,
especially considering the existence of radical groups and important
personalities who are not prone to concessions, it may not have much
importance because formalization will lead to a new situation when
failure will not be a return to the status quo.

The problem will be further complicated if Raffi Hovannisian is able
to keep the square vibrant and viable and to negotiate with Serzh
Sargsyan not as Raffi Hovannisian but as the mediator or representative
of people as he put it once.

In that case, the negotiations will not be imitation but a real
process, which is not desirable for the forces which are up for a
battle for Yerevan.

But before that Raffi Hovannisian needs to resolve the key issue and
explain substantially why he will accept Serzh Sargsyan’s proposal if
he is going to accept it and not the contrary, he is going to refuse
in written form.

Although, the golden middle is possible when Raffi Hovannisian
will agree to negotiate but will put forth certain conditions and
reservations as a guarantee that if Serzh Sargsyan retreats, he will
have space to retreat.

Generally, negotiations will not favor neither Serzh Sargsyan, nor
Raffi Hovannisian, especially that the scarcity of the potential
of negotiations is obvious. The negotiation is a necessary protocol
process for the time being so both will prefer protracting the preamble
as long as possible through mutual acts, at least in parallel with
the mayoral election in Yerevan.

From: Baghdasarian

PRESSE ARMENIENNE : REVUE DU 25 MARS 2013

Publié le : 26-03-2013

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN vous
présente cette Revue de Presse parue sur le site de l’Ambassade de
France en Arménie le 25 mars 2013.

Ambassade de France en Arménie

Revue de la presse arménienne du 25 mars 2013

I. Politique intérieure

1. Raffi Hovhannissian soumet des propositions à Serge Sarkissian/
Lors d~Rune nouvelle manifestation, le 22 mars, Raffi Hovhannissian a
dévoilé une lettre adressée au Président Sarkissian, comprenant deux
propositions : – tenue immédiate de nouvelles élections présidentielles
et/ou – partage du pouvoir entre les autorités et le peuple.

M. Hovhannissian réclame également la tenue d~Rélections législatives
anticipées et la mise en oeuvre de réformes au Code électoral, afin
d~Rabolir le scrutin majoritaire, de permettre la publication des
listes des citoyens qui ont effectivement voté ; de réintroduire
les partis politiques dans la formation de la Commission électorale
Centrale et les commissions électorales des districts ; d~Rassurer
la participation au scrutin des citoyens vivant à l~Rétranger ou
de procéder au retrait de leurs noms sur les listes électorales. M.
Hovhannissian demande par ailleurs : – le retrait d~Rau moins cinq
gouverneurs régionaux, qui devront être remplacés par des candidats
proposés par lui-même ; – la destitution de tous les maires de
villes et villages qui ont violé la loi en falsifiant les résultats
des élections du 18 février; – la poursuite de tous les fraudeurs,
y compris les gouverneurs, maires et autres fonctionnaires ; – la
nomination de candidats proposés par Raffi Hovhannissian à la tête
des Ministères et des postes suivants ; Procureur général ; Service
des recettes d~REtat (impôts et douanes) ; Sécurité nationale ;
Ministère des Affaires étrangères ; Education et sciences ; Chambre
de contrôle ; Conseil de la justice ; Commission anti-corruption.

M. Hovhannissian a précisé que ce n~Rest qu~Raprès que ses demandes
auront été satisfaites qu~Ril reconnaîtra les résultats des élections
du 18 février. 168 Jam relève que Raffi Hovhannissian, en réclamant
des postes de responsabilité au Président Sarkissian, a reconnu la
légitimité de celui-ci.

2. Intrus armé à l~RAN/ L~Rensemble de la presse rend compte d~Run
incident, vendredi dernier à l~RAN : un homme armé d~Run couteau a pu
pénétrer dans l~Renceinte de l~RAN, en menaçant les contrôleurs. Les
agents de sécurité de l~RAN ont dû le blesser à la jambe pour le
neutraliser. Il a été hospitalisé. Il s~Ragirait d~Run habitant de
25 ans de la ville de Massis qui souffrirait de troubles mentaux et
aurait un casier judiciaire.

II. Relations extérieures

1. Le Conseil des droits de l~RHomme des Nations Unies a adopté à
l~Runanimité le projet de résolution soumis par l~RArménie sur la
prévention des génocides/ Rapporté par les agences de presse

2. Lancement d~Run nouveau projet « Initiative ciblée pour l~RArménie
» financé par l~RUE / Hayastani Hanrapetoutioun, plusieurs agences de
presse et chaînes de télévision rendent compte du lancement du projet
« Initiative ciblée pour l~RArménie » financé par l~RUE, en présence
du chef de la délégation de l’UE en l’Arménie, l~RAmbassadeur de
France en Arménie, le Directeur Général de l~ROFII, M Yannick Imbert,
des représentants des Ministères arméniens des AE, de la Diaspora,
du Service des Migrations etc. Selon la directrice du projet, Virginie
Artot, le but du projet est de renforcer les capacités de gestion de
l’Arménie avec un accent particulier sur les activités de réinsertion.
« Nous travaillons avec les autorités compétentes et la société civile
pour accroître leur capacité à soutenir activement le retour digne et
durable et la réintégration des Arméniens dans leur pays d~Rorigine
», a-t-elle dit, ajoutant : « Nous allons également lutter contre
l~Rimmigration irrégulière en promouvant une migration sûre et légale,
nous tenterons aussi de renforcer l’impact positif de la migration
sur le développement social en l’Arménie ». Selon l~RAmbassadeur de
France, depuis 2005, 750 Arméniens sont rentrés en Arménie de France
grâce à la mise en oeuvre de 172 programmes. Le taux de succès de
ceux-ci dépasse 95%.

Ce projet de l~RUE est mis en oeuvre par l’Office Français
de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration (OFII), avec le soutien
d’organisations et d’experts venus de Belgique, de Bulgarie, de
République Tchèque, de France, d’Allemagne, des Pays-Bas, de Pologne
et de Roumanie. Le budget du projet est de trois millions d’euros
pour une durée de trois ans.

3. L~RArménie ne saurait arrêter la centrale de Medzamor avant que
la question des sources alternatives énergétiques n~Rait été résolue/
C~Rest ce qu~Ra déclaré le secrétaire du Conseil de sécurité nationale,
Arthur Baghdassarian, suite à la publication par Bruxelles du rapport
de progrès sur l~RArménie au sujet de la mise en oeuvre des programmes
de la politique européenne de voisinage UEArménie, demandant, entre
autres, la fermeture de la centrale de Medzamor.

III. Questions régionales

1. Nouvel Ambassadeur de Russie en Arménie/ Les quotidiens annoncent
la nomination, par Vladimir Poutine, d~Run nouvel Ambassadeur de
Russie en Arménie, Ivan Volinkin. Selon Jamanak, celui-ci figurait
parmi les trois diplomates de l~Rambassade de Russie en Géorgie qui
avaient fait l~Robjet d~Rune expulsion de Tbilissi en novembre 2007,
accusés d~Respionnage.

2. Le Président Saakachvili à Erevan, le 9 avril, pour l~Rinvestiture
de Serge Sarkissian/ Arminfo

3. Le nombre de touristes iraniens venus en Arménie à l~Roccasion de
la fête de Novrouz aurait diminué de moitié / Selon Haykakan Jamanak,
si 15 000 touristes iraniens s~Rétaient rendus en Arménie pour la
fête de Novrouz l~Rannée dernière, ils sont deux fois moins nombreux
cette année.

Rédaction : Meri Hakobian

Retour à la rubrique

Source/Lien : Ambassade de France en Arménie

From: Baghdasarian

TURQUIE : LE JOURNALISTE ET ECRIVAIN YALCIN KUCUK MAINTENU EN DETENTION

Publie le : 26-03-2013

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN vous
invite a lire cette information publiee sur le site des Reporters
Sans Frontières le 23 mars 2013.

Photo : Erol Onderoglu

Reporters Sans Frontières

Turquie

Procès OdaTV : le journaliste et ecrivain Yalcin Kucuk maintenu
en detention

Publie le samedi 23 mars 2013. Mis a jour le lundi 25 mars 2013.

A l’issue de la 16e audience qui s’est tenu le 21 mars 2013 dans le
Palais de justice d’Istanbul (rive europeenne), la 16e Chambre de la
Cour d’Assises d’Istanbul n’a pas mis fin a la detention provisoire
de Yalcin Kucuk, incarcere depuis le 6 mars 2011, ni a celle d’Hanefi
Avci. Yalcin Kucuk risque egalement la prison a vie dans le cadre de
l’affaire Ergenekon.

“Il est regrettable que la justice turque s’obstine a maintenir
certains accuses en detention. L’audience n’a abouti a aucune
avancee significative. En definitive, Yalcin Kucuk paye le prix de
cette stagnation judiciaire. Nous demandons a nouveau l’abandon des
poursuites et de l’ensembles des charges contre tous les journalistes
et collaborateurs de medias accuses”, a declare Reporters sans
frontières.

A l’ouverture de l’audience, le juge Mehmet Ekinci a declare que la
Direction de la securite d’Istanbul avait repondu a la Cour. La police
d’Istanbul a fait savoir a la Cour que les images des perquisitions
effectuee, en fevrier 2011, au siège d’Oda TV a Beyoglu (Istanbul),
avaient ete enregistrees “sans son”, pour des raisons de securite,
les policiers presents lors de la perquisition pouvant etre identifies
par leurs noms.

Il est reproche aux treize accuses du dossier d’avoir prete main
forte a l’organisation Ergenekon en tentant de discrediter l’affaire
par l’intermediaire d’articles publies sur le site odatv.com et
de livres publies ou en preparation. Ergenekon est un groupuscule
militaro-nationaliste d’origine kemaliste, accuse de complot contre
le gouvernement.

Durant l’audience, Yalcin Kucuk a vivement critique l’acte d’accusation
“sans fondement” qui indique que le directeur de publication d’OdaTV,
Baris Pehlivan, s’est rendu a plusieurs reprises chez lui pour y
recevoir des instructions. Yalcin Kucuk a retorque qu’il n’avait vu
Baris Pehlivan qu’une seule fois dans sa vie avant d’etre incarcere,
et ce dans le cadre d’une interview pour la chaîne CNN Turk, intitule
“J’etais la” (Oradaydim). Selon le journaliste, les affaires politiques
sont de nature a effrayer les magistrats et meme si les accuses sont
relaxes, les pièces a convictions utilisees contre eux les suivront
tout au long de leur vie. “Dans les affaires politiques, personne ne
peut connaître son crime, ni le poète Nazim Hikmet, ni Tuncay Ozkan,
et ce meme après des annees de detention”.

Recemment, la Cour a decide de liberer remettre le journaliste Soner
Yalcin en liberte conditionnelle. Proprietaire du site d’information
odatv.com, il avait ete incarcere depuis le 14 fevrier 2011 dans
la prison de Silivri (nord-ouest d’Istanbul). Sa liberation le
27 decembre 2012 a mis fin a 22 mois de detention preventive. Il
demeure cependant sous contrôle judiciaire, comme ses co-accuses,
presents a l’audience, en signe de solidarite. Nedim Sener, Ahmet Sik,
Muhammet Sait Cakir, Coskun Musluk, Muyesser Ugur, Dogan Yurdakul,
Baris Pehlivan et Baris Terkoglu, ont eux aussi passes plusieurs mois
en detention avant d’etre liberes.

Plusieurs journalistes et representants d’organisations de defense des
journalistes ont assiste a l’audience, au terme de laquelle les deux
accuses ont ete renvoyes a la prison de Silivri (nord d’Istanbul). La
prochaine audience devrait se tenir le 13 juin 2013.

Retour a la rubrique

Source/Lien : Reporters Sans Frontières

From: Baghdasarian