Journalist Kara is Free - For Now

Macit Sefiloglu, the Aegean head of the Contemporary Journalists' Association (CGD) said five more charges were pressed against Kara while he was in prison. Sefiloglu greeted Kara with flowers.

Kara told bianet that he stayed in an 11-people cell but added prison conditions were good.

During the five months he spent in the Urla prison, Kara wrote two more books. He first published his book called, "Sinan's Black Book."

In another book he plans to publish in two months, Kara talks about the legal process that lead to his prison sentence and the 34 trials he faced.

"I am thinking of sending this book to European Union countries, parliamentarians at the European council and the non-governmental organizations," said Kara.

"Because they need to know how the trying process is carried out in Turkey."

In his other book called, "Turkey: the Motherland of Corruption," Kara said. "They offered me chicken for a vote. Corruption has settled deep in our veins."

"Laws should be urgently reviewed"

Sefiloglu called on the Justice Ministry concerning the trials Kara faces.

"Trials against Kara demonstrate that the media in Turkey is under threat. Local media especially is under too much pressure," said Sefiloglu.

Sefiloglu said Kara faced 29 trials as he was going to prison. Two of those were definite. He added people kept complaining about Kara and that all complaints were turned into trials.

Kara has had 34 trials against him. Most were opened with the complaints of local official Savas Tuncer. Tuncer made 21 complaints about Kara.

Kara has served in prison for three months for "not delivering two copies of newspaper to the local administration." He was released from the Ula prison on February 7, 2003.

After being free for a while, he stood trial for threatening the bodyguards of Mert Ciller and was sentenced to prison beginning on October 23, 2003. (EO/BB/EA/YE)