Kurdish Singer Was Granted 10 Percent of Compensation Claim

The compensation claim filed by Kurdish singer Rojin (Rojin Ölker) against Akşam newspaper writer Serdar Turgut was partly accepted by the Bakırköy (Istanbul) 2^nd Criminal Court of First Instance. Rojin had sued Turgut over charges of "attacking her personal rights" on the grounds of the journalist's saying ""I would kidnap her and make her my sex slave".

The original claim of TL 100,000 (€ 50,000) was partially accepted. In the hearingon 14 October, the court decreed for a monetary fine of TL 10,000 plus interest. The final hearing was attended by the lawyers from the involved parties.

The court reviewed an administrative fine of TL 6,300 (€ 1,650) previously handed to Turgut before the pronunciation of judgement.

"Mail writers will not defame women any longer"

Rojin's lawyer Müçteba Kılıç told bianet that they were going to file an appeal against the decision due to the low amount. He critized, "This penalty is like a reward for Turgut and opposes the honour of women".

"We requested TL 100,000 in compensation because of the moral damage suffered by our client Rojin. The court's partial acceptance of the claim and its decree for a TL 10,000 fine is funny", Kılıç argued.

"This case is symbolic. Women organized demonstrations in order to support Rojin. Rojin opened this case not only because of her personal damage but particularly for the honour of women. The fine decided by the court is not in line with this", the lawyer explained.

"Despite the low punishment, this case will teach the male writers in the media a lesson. Male writers will not be able to write any more scandals about women".

Artist Rojin from TRT's Kurdish Channel filed a criminal complaint about journalist Serdar Turgut because of his comment "I would kidnap her and make her my sex slave". The column was published on 24 October entitled "I am sorry not to be a PKK terrorist".

Turgut had received a monetary fine of TL 6,300 because of the writing. The Bakırköy 2^nd Criminal Court of First Instance had convicted the journalist under charges of "defamation of the honour and respect of Rojin Ölker" according to article 125/1/2 of the Turkish Criminal Law (TCK). The pronouncement of judgement was postponed since Turgut has no criminal record and the court was of the opinion that he would not commit another crime. (SP/VK)