Journalist Özer Sentenced to 1.5 Years in Jail
Journalist Aziz Özer, editorial manager of the Güney magazine, was sentenced to imprisonment of one year and six months by reason of the article entitled "The story of an incredible three-day resistance" and a short picture story called "The Judge".
The second and final hearing of the case was heard before the Istanbul 9th High Criminal Court on Thursday (31 March). Özer was convicted of "spreading propaganda for an illegal organization" according to Article 7/2 of the Anti-Terror Law (TMY).
According to information conveyed to bianet by Özer's lawyer Özcan Kılıç, the court board refrained from applying any mitigation due to previous press trials filed against his client. Lawyer Kılıç announced to appeal the decision.
Propaganda charges
The legal procedures against Özer were based on the article entitled "The story of an incredible three-day resistance" written by Mehmet Söğüt and a short picture story called "The Judge" by Meray Ülgen, published in the 51st issue of the magazine of January-February-March 2010.
"The story of an incredible three-day resistance" published on page 24 of the issue dated 21 January described an armed conflict between security forces and a PKK member who got injured during the clashes from the perspective of the member of the organization.
A caricature in the 98th issue of the magazine featured a grave stone with crescent and star and the name "Niyazi Martyr". The caricature is also subject of the trial since it was assessed as an "implication" that a security official who died in conflicts with the PKK "died for nothing" and evaluated as "praise of force and violence" and "spreading propaganda for the PKK".(EÇ/EÖ/VK)