Emir Çelik

Emir Çelik

[email protected]

Journalist Sued for Calling Deputy "Manservant of the People"

Journalist Sued for Calling Deputy "Manservant of the People"

Gerger Fırat newspaper owner Boğatekin faces a Tl 10,000 (€ 5,000) compensation claim filed by AKP Deputy Fırat. The court rejected the defence lawyer's request for a new expert report. The trial was postponed to 30 June.

Journalists Mavioğlu and Soykan at Court

Journalists Mavioğlu and Soykan at Court

Journalists Mavioğlu and Soykan are on trial for their article in the context of an article and a photograph published in 2009. The Freedom for Journalists Platform criticized that journalists are being pushed towards auto-censorship with this sort of trials.

Journalist Şener at Court for the First Time after his Arrest

Journalist Şener at Court for the First Time after his Arrest

Journalist Nedim Şener was taken to court for the first time since his arrest on 6 March. The trial was opened on the grounds of a news article written by Şener. He was supported inside and in front of the court house by his family, friends and colleagues.

Journalist Pelek still in the Dock for "Editorship"

Journalist Pelek still in the Dock for "Editorship"

Journalist Pelek gave her statement in the trial filed against her and journalist Dolu on the grounds of having published General Fırtına's statement at the prosecution related to the Ergenekon investigation. The case was postponed to August.

BİA 2010 Media Monitoring Report: Defendants Name by Name

Read here a list of journalists, writers, politicians and media institutions that were tried in 2010 on charges related to freedom of thought and expression. This list was compiled according to the annual report of 2010 prepared by the BİA Media Monitoring Desk.

Legal Landscape of 2010 Dominated by Anti-Terror Law

BİA 2010 MEDIA MONITORING REPORT

Legal Landscape of 2010 Dominated by Anti-Terror Law

According to data compiled by the BİA Media Monitoring Report, 220 people, 104 of whom were journalists, stood trial in 2010 in the scope of freedom of thought and expression. 33 people were sentenced to 365 years in prison under the Anti-Terror Law. 30 journalists are in jail.

Aysel Tuğluk Still Facing Dozens of Years in Prison

Aysel Tuğluk Still Facing Dozens of Years in Prison

Trials against Kurdish politicians Aysel Tuğluk and Ahmet Türk, Co-Chairs of the Democratic Society Congress, are still pending in Ankara and Diyarbakır. Tuğluk is facing 70 years behind bars in the Diyarbakır trial and another five years from the Ankara procedures.

Journalist and Human Rights Defender Convicted

QANDIL INTERVIEW

Journalist and Human Rights Defender Convicted

Human rights advocator Hakan Tahmaz received a one-year prison sentence, journalist İbrahim Çeşmecioğlu a monetary fine for the interview with Murat Karayılan, leader of the Union of Kurdistan Communities.

20 Former DTP Members Convicted of 'Propaganda'

20 Former DTP Members Convicted of 'Propaganda'

20 people were sentenced to imprisonment of ten months each on charges of "spreading propaganda for an illegal organization". They were convicted on the base of a sit-down protest action organized by the banned Democratic Society Party in Diyarbakır 2008.

Blogspot Access Ban Lifted

Blogspot Access Ban Lifted

The Prosecution of Diyarbakır lifted the access ban applied to the Blogspot websites. It might take a few days until all sites are accessible again. Thousands of websites including news sites are still affected by the censorship.

Journalist Mavioğlu in the Dock again

Journalist Mavioğlu in the Dock again

Journalist Mavioğlu from the Radikal newspaper stand accused of "propaganda" on the grounds of an interview with PKK leader Karayılan. Mavioğlu is facing up to three years in prison. "Despite efforts to put even more people behind bars, we will continue to write and talk", he claimed.

Author Güler and Publisher Zarakolu Convicted

Author Güler and Publisher Zarakolu Convicted

Charges of "propaganda for the PKK" lead to the conviction of writer Güler and publisher Zarakolu based on the book "The KCK file/Global state and Kurds without a state". Güler received a prison sentence and Zarakolu a monetary fine despite the prosecutor's plea for their acquittal.

Blogspot.com Censured

Blogspot.com Censured

The blog-publishing service blogspot.com was censored upon the complaint of the Digitürk Satellite Television Company related to football broadcasts. The access to the entire number of blogs is banned. Social networking sites started protest campaigns.

Prosecutor Sues Journalist Saymaz and Radikal Daily

COMPENSATION CLAIM

Prosecutor Sues Journalist Saymaz and Radikal Daily

Former İliç Prosecutor Bozkurt filed a TL 100,000 compensation claim against Radikal newspaper reporter Saymaz and two executives of the daily on the grounds of two news articles that allegedly constituted an "attack on his personal rights".

11-month Prison Sentence for Criticizing "Co-Wife" Proposal

11-month Prison Sentence for Criticizing "Co-Wife" Proposal

Journalist Topçu was sentenced to eleven months in jail on the grounds of his criticism on Rize Mayor Bakırcı who had suggested "co-wives for Kurds" in order to solve the Kurdish question. At the same time, Black Sea journalists associations condemned recent police violence against journalists.

2 Journalists Sentenced to Jail after Covering Demonstration

2 Journalists Sentenced to Jail after Covering Demonstration

Dicle News Agency reporter Yıldız and Güneydoğu Ekspress reporter Dayan were each sentenced to almost eight years in prison together with another 23 defendants who attended a demonstration in 2008. Both journalists said they followed the event for professional reasons.

28 February 2011

Four Oda TV writers in Custody after "Ergenekon" Raid

Four Oda TV writers in Custody after "Ergenekon" Raid

The Istanbul office of the Oda TV internet site was searched along with the homes of four writers of the website "in the scope of the Ergenekon investigation". Journalists association criticized the raid as undemocratic and worrisome.

15 February 2011

Massive Police Intervention on Campus

BLACK SEA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

Massive Police Intervention on Campus

Students from the Black Sea Technical University in Trabzon faced a massive police intervention when they demonstrated against the construction of hydro-electric power plants on the campus. Organizations and platforms from the Black Sea region condemned the intervention.

14 February 2011

Journalists under Threat of Unemployment and Imprisonment

FREEDOM FOR JOURNALISTS PLATFORM

Journalists under Threat of Unemployment and Imprisonment

The Freedom for Journalists Platform supported journalist Saymaz at his latest hearing. Olcayto said on behalf of the platform, "The trials and investigations against journalists prove a lack of press freedom and freedom of expression in Turkey".

7 February 2011

Journalist Güler Sentenced, another Trial Pending

Journalist Güler Sentenced, another Trial Pending

Journalist Erdal Güler, owner of the Revolutionary Democracy newspaper, was sentenced to six months in jail. Güler was just released last October after three years in prison. Another trial on "propaganda for an illegal organization" is still pending against him.

7 February 2011

Acquittal on "Multilingual Municipality Services" in Diyarbakır

Acquittal on "Multilingual Municipality Services" in Diyarbakır

The trial regarding the Sur Municipality's decision for "Multilingual Municipality Services" resulted in the acquittal of Sur District Mayor Demirbaş, Diyarbakır Metropolitan Mayor Baydemir and 19 members of the municipality council.

4 February 2011

Activists Prosecuted for Criticising The Judges

Activists Prosecuted for Criticising The Judges

The head of a rights organization, Kaya, journalist Karahasanoğlu from Vakit newspaper and Kenan Kıran are standing trial for criticizing judicial decisions. Kaya claimed that freedom of criticism also included "disturbing statements" according to decisions of the ECHR.

3 February 2011

Journalist Erdal's Case Adjourned

Journalist Erdal's Case Adjourned

The trial against court reporter Erdal from Zaman newspaper was postponed again. Erdal, editorial manager Beşer and Ankara correspondent Arslan are tried in a joint case because of articles on the release of detained "Ergenekon" and "Sledgehammer" defendants.

3 February 2011

Kurds Outraged about Racist Newspaper Article

Kurds Outraged about Racist Newspaper Article

Posta Newspaper writer Candaş Tolga Işık was heavily criticized in several provinces for his article "Satellite dish terrorism in the south-east". Protestors called for a boycott of the Doğan Media Group. Professional press organizations remained silent till now.

2 February 2011

Defence of Taraf Newspaper Staff in 38 Trials

Defence of Taraf Newspaper Staff in 38 Trials

Taraf newspaper journalists Altan, Çongar, Düzel, Kılıçgedik and Esayan and former employee Çiçek were among the numerous Taraf employees who gave their statements regarding 38 cases tried at the Kadıköy 2nd Court of First Instance on 28 January.

1 February 2011

"Justice in a Gown"

"Justice in a Gown"

At the first hearing on the grounds of the book "Justice in a Gown", Prosecutor Şanal claimed an "attack on his personal rights". Şanal claims a compensation from journalist Taşçı, author of the book. The case was postponed.

31 January 2011

Turkish Singer Lands in Jail for Mentioning Revolutionist

Turkish Singer Lands in Jail for Mentioning Revolutionist

The Turkish singer Pınar Sağ was sentenced to imprisonment of ten months on charges of "praising" killed leftist revolutionist İbrahim Kaypakkaya. The Contemporary Lawyers Association criticized the decision and called for an end of the "judicial terror".

31 January 2011

Quick Decision in Case against bianet?

Quick Decision in Case against bianet?

The trial launched by former Prisons and Arrest Stations General Manager Ertosun against bianet co-ordinator Kürkçü and Lawyer Tanay of the Contemporary Lawyers Association was postponed to March. At the same day, Ertoson made journalist Talu publish a disclaimer.

31 January 2011

Author of new Book on Dink Murder Threatened

Author of new Book on Dink Murder Threatened

Journalist Adem Yavuz Arslan was threatened several times since his book on the killing of Turkish-Armenian journalist Dink was published two weeks ago. The book revealed volatile information on the murder. Arslan applied for police protection.

28 January 2011

Journalist Eker Convicted of "Propaganda"

Journalist Eker Convicted of "Propaganda"

A Diyarbakır court sentenced journalist Eker, Chief Editor of the Kurdish women magazine Renge Heviya Jine, to imprisonment of 2.5 years on the grounds of "spreading propaganda for an illegal organization". At the same time, Eker was released from detention.

27 January 2011

Journalist Saymaz' s Toll: 107-year Prison Threat

Journalist Saymaz' s Toll: 107-year Prison Threat

Journalist Saymaz is yet facing two more trials on the grounds of his book "The postmodern Jihad" and a news item on the Courthouse in Sultanbeyli. He is charged with "identifying officials on anti-terror duties as a target" and "defamation, insult, and influencing the judiciary" respectively.

26 January 2011

Conscientious Objector's Relatives Also Persecuted

Conscientious Objector's Relatives Also Persecuted

Five people stand trial in Eskişehir on charges of "alienating the public from military service" on the grounds of their support for conscientious objector Enver Aydemir. Aydemir's father and his lawyer are among the defendants.

25 January 2011

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