Musician Tunc Questioned for DEP Article

Musician Ferhat Tunc, who is also a writer for the daily "Yeniden Ozgur Gundem" (Free Agenda Again), is facing an interrogation for writing an article titled, "A Revolutionist Leyla and a Song."

Tunc made a plea at the Beyoglu prosecutor's office for "insulting justice decisions," through his article published on January 19, 2004.

Tunc and Colak made a plea

Prosecutor Mustafa Gulsoy listened to Tunc and Mehmet Colak, who is the editor-in-chief of the daily newspaper.

Tunc's lawyer Hatice Dogan and Colak's lawyer Ibrahim Bilmez were also present at the prosecutor's office during the plea.

"I also criticized like politicians"

In that article, Tunc wrote about the former lawmakers from the Democracy Party (DEP) who are standing a trial also followed closely by the European Parliament. The former lawmakers, including Leyla Zana, were expected to be released during the latest hearing, but the judge rejected the demand to release them.

Tunc argued that his article did not include anything that would count as an insult to the justice system or the jurists, and added that criticizing a judge from the Ankara State Security Court (DGM) would not count as criticizing the whole justice system.

Tunc also reminded prosecutor Gulsoy that ministers, including the prime minister, made similar statements to criticize the justice system. Those statements prove that my article was right, said Tunc. He said his article was just a criticism of the justice system.

Colak said he did not see elements of crime in the article, and added the article was only reflecting the opinions of the writer. (EO/BB/EA/NM)