Erol Önderoğlu - Bianet

Erol Önderoğlu

Page 14

Journalist Associations Criticize Heavy Sentence of Kurdish Journalist

Journalist Associations Criticize Heavy Sentence of Kurdish Journalist

National and international journalists associations criticized the prison sentence of 166.5 years handed down to journalist Vedat Kurşun. The decision is viewed as highly disproportional and politically motivated. The associations urge for a review of the referring legislations.

Detained Publisher Adanır Faces 50 Years' Prison Sentence

Detained Publisher Adanır Faces 50 Years' Prison Sentence

Aram Publishing owner Bedri Adanır is tried for 38 books confiscated in a search and because of articles in 4 issues of the Kurdish Hawar newspaper. Adanır, editorial manager of the Hawar daily, has been in detention for more than 4 months now and faces 50 years imprisonment.

No Special Prosecutor for Investigation of Hrant Dink Murder

JOURNALIST MURDER

No Special Prosecutor for Investigation of Hrant Dink Murder

The Istanbul Chief prosecution dismissed the request to appoint a special prosecutor for the murder case of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink. 3.5 years after the murder it is still not clear which public officials are responsible and who pulled the trigger.

UN Criticizes Freedom of Expression in Turkey

UN Criticizes Freedom of Expression in Turkey

Turkey was criticized by at least 15 of a total of 54 countries speaking at the UN Human Rights Council on 10 May. Harsh criticism was voiced on Turkey's tolerance towards torture and on oppression of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people.

Journalist Saymaz Faces 54 Years Imprisonment

Journalist Saymaz Faces 54 Years Imprisonment

Six trials were opened against Radikal newspaper journalist Saymaz due to his coverage of the interrogation of defendants Cihnaner, Chief Public Prosecutor of Erzincan, and Şahin form the Special Operations Unit. Both defendants are tried related to the Ergenekon investigation.

166.5 Years' Sentence for Kurdish Journalist Vedat Kurşun

166.5 Years' Sentence for Kurdish Journalist Vedat Kurşun

Detained journalist Kurşun, former editorial manger of the Kurdish Azadiya Welat newspaper, was sentenced to 166 years and 6 months imprisonment under charges of "Membership of the PKK" and spreading PKK propaganda".

Social Memory Platform Supports Journalist Göktaş at Court

Social Memory Platform Supports Journalist Göktaş at Court

The case against journalist Göktaş based on his book "The Hrant Dink Murder: Media, Judiciary, State" was postponed to June in order to obtain the statement of complainant Akyürek from an Ankara court. Journalist Şener faces a 3 years' sentence for his book about the Dink murder.

Kurdish Politician Tuğluk Scot-Free in 2 Trials

Kurdish Politician Tuğluk Scot-Free in 2 Trials

Kurdish politician Tuğluk was acquitted by an Istanbul court of charges related to a news item published in 2004. Another case filed against her on the grounds of an article published in 2002 was closed by prescription.

Journalists Conference for Peace

Journalists Conference for Peace

The Press Institute Association and the South-Eastern Journalists Association held a conference with dozens of journalists in Diyarbakır. They emphasized that journalists who do not use a language of peace inhibit the contribution of journalists to the Kurdish question.

Lawyer of Detained Journalist Kurşun Recused Member of Court

Lawyer of Detained Journalist Kurşun Recused Member of Court

Lawyer of Kurdish Azadiya Welat newspaper journalist Kurşun, Serhat Eren, demanded to recuse a judge from a Diyarbakır court; the request will be decided on 13 May. Azadiya Welat correspondent Sayan from Van was released.

216 Defendants "Celebrated" World Press Freedom Day Behind Bars

BİA MEDIA MONITORING REPORT

216 Defendants "Celebrated" World Press Freedom Day Behind Bars

According to the BİA Media Monitoring report, 216 journalists, writers, publishers, caricaturists, politicians and citizens were tried for their thoughts; journalists Kurşun and Güler are in prison. 5 journalists were attacked, fines imposed by the ECHR increased by 100 percent...

"Express" Journalists Face Imprisonment for 'pro-Kurdish' Article

"Express" Journalists Face Imprisonment for 'pro-Kurdish' Article

Journalists Aktan and Erol face imprisonment under charges of "spreading PKK propaganda" by reason of the article "Weather Conditions in the Region and in Qandil" published in the Express magazine. The journalists refer to the "public's right to be informed".

Lawyers of the Family of Killed Journalist Dink Sue Deputy Governor

HRANT DINK MURDER CASE

Lawyers of the Family of Killed Journalist Dink Sue Deputy Governor

The lawyers of the murder case of Turkish-Armenian journalist Dink sue Istanbul Deputy Governor Güran because he did not let the lawyers have a copy of the inspectors' preliminary investigation report. The coming hearing of the Dink murder case is on 10 May.

Prosecutor Cihaner on Trial as "Ergenekon" Defendant

Prosecutor Cihaner on Trial as "Ergenekon" Defendant

The Erzurum 2nd High Criminal Court rejected the application for lack of jurisdiction regarding Ergenekon defendant Chief Prosecutor Cihaner. The court decided that permission from the Ministry of Justice is not needed for the prosecution of 3 MIT officials.

Media Association: Legal Reform Essential for Press Freedom

Media Association: Legal Reform Essential for Press Freedom

According to the Media Association, 'unfortunately, many journalists are on trial in Turkey, and the suits result in monetary fines or prison sentences. The improved economic performance is not reflected in the development of press freedom'.

G-9 Journalists Platform's Struggle for Rights

G-9 Journalists Platform's Struggle for Rights

Members of the G-9 Journalists Organizations Platform applied to the Ankara Public Chief Prosecution on World Press Day to find out whether their phones are being wiretapped. According to journalist Tılıç, eavesdropping has increased and journalism is seen as a "dangerous work".

Chief of General Staff Threatens "One Part of the Press"

Chief of General Staff Threatens "One Part of the Press"

Chief of General Staff Gen. Başbuğ said that 'even the press during the armistice was not as treacherous' as a certain part of today's press in Turkey. Tarf newspaper responded, "The real traitor is the one who leaves children to die".

Witnesses of the Defence Will Testify in Trial against Tursun Family

Witnesses of the Defence Will Testify in Trial against Tursun Family

The family of killed Baran Tursun is tried for raising against the court during the law suit filed related to the death of their son and brother. Tursun's parents and his sister are facing prison sentence. The case was postponed to 9 July to hear eight witnesses of the defence.

Victim's Mother Faces Higher Sentence than Perpetrator

Victim's Mother Faces Higher Sentence than Perpetrator

While a police officer responsible for the death of Baran Tursun received a prison sentence of 25 months, the victim's mother is facing imprisonment of 41 months because of her reaction to the court's decision to release the defendant pending tiral.

1 Year and 10 Months in Jail for Mayor Selim Sadak

1 Year and 10 Months in Jail for Mayor Selim Sadak

A Diyarbakır court handed down a one year's prison sentence to Siirt Mayor Sadak under charges of "spreading PKK propaganda" on the grounds of using the term "Kurdistan" in a statement. Sadak was recently sentenced to another ten months in jail for a photo in a calendar.

Parliamentary Investigation into Murder of Journalist Dink?

Parliamentary Investigation into Murder of Journalist Dink?

The Justice and Development Party submitted the proposal for a parliamentary investigation into the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink three years ago. Should the proposal be approved, the parliament would have to find the abetters for the murder.

Journalist Saymaz Faces 18 Years Imprisonment

Journalist Saymaz Faces 18 Years Imprisonment

Another trial has been launched against journalist Saymaz based on an article about the interrogation of Erzincan Public Chief Prosecutor Erhan Cihaner when he was in custody. Saymaz is facing a total of 18 years imprisonment.

Journalist Doğansoy: "False Allegations because I am Targeted"

Journalist Doğansoy: "False Allegations because I am Targeted"

Journalist Fuat Doğansoy disclaimed the news about himself published in Vakit newspaper saying that "he was caught with drugs in Finland". Doğansoy believes to be targeted.

Quiet Commemoration 95 Years after Armenian Deportation

Quiet Commemoration 95 Years after Armenian Deportation

"This pain is our pain, his mourning is the mourning of all of us" was written on the banner on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the deportation of Armenians. More than 500 people gathered around the banner in Taksim/Istanbul for a silent commemoration.

"Stop Prosecution of Journalists and Call Real Perpetrators to Account"

HRANT DINK MURDER CASE

"Stop Prosecution of Journalists and Call Real Perpetrators to Account"

Reporters without Borders claimed to leave aside the prosecution of authors Şener and Göktaş, who drew attention to the state's responsibiltiy in the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Dink in their books. Instead, the ones responsible for the assassination should be revealed, RSF said.

Journalist Saymaz on Trial for Articles about Ergenekon Defendant

Journalist Saymaz on Trial for Articles about Ergenekon Defendant

Radikal newspaper journalist Saymaz will stand trial on 29 April for his critical news items concerned with "Ergenekon" defendant Şahin. At the same time, Star newspaper writer Tayyar was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment.

Case Files of Trabzon and Istanbul Will not be Merged

HRANT DINK MURDER CASE

Case Files of Trabzon and Istanbul Will not be Merged

The Trabzon 2nd Magistrate Court decided against merging the file concerned with the prosecution of eight gendarmerie officers accused of negligence in the murder of journalist Dink with the file in Istanbul. Moreover, four informants from the Trabzon Gendarmerie will not be heard.

"Press Freedom is Information, not Criticism of the Government"

EUROPEAN JOURNALISTS FEDERATION GENERAL ASSEMBLY

"Press Freedom is Information, not Criticism of the Government"

Hautala from the European Parliament urged Turkey to act on the improvement of freedom of speech. EFJ President König said that recent reports on press freedom were not very promising. Türmen: "Press freedom means informing people and not criticizing the government".

BDP Politicians in the Sight of the Judiciary

BDP Politicians in the Sight of the Judiciary

An Ankara Court decided once more to bring BDP Istanbul MP Tuncel to court by compulsion. Siirt Mayor Sadak was sentenced to imprisonment of 10 months in a single session because of pictures the 2010 calendar. DTK Co-Chair Dicle faces prison sentence of up to 20 years.

Human Rights Activits Tried for Criticising Forensic Medicine Institute

Human Rights Activits Tried for Criticising Forensic Medicine Institute

Board Chair of the Turkish Human Rights Foundation Prof. Dr Ş. K. Fincancı faces prison sentence for her statements about N. Bilgen, chair of the Institute for Forensic Medicine 3rd Specialization Chamber. Fincancı had criticised Bilgen and the Institute in an interview.

Journalist Convicted for Anecdote about PM Erodoğan

Journalist Convicted for Anecdote about PM Erodoğan

Journalist Mustafa Arıgümüş received a prison sentence of eleven months and 20 days because of alleged insult of PM Erdoğan in a published anecdote. Sevda Turaçlar from Adana was convicted for the same offence. A similar case of journalist Kaşkar from Milas is still pending.

Arabic Broadcast Incomprehensible for Turkish Viewers

Arabic Broadcast Incomprehensible for Turkish Viewers

Siirt Mücadele newspaper owner Kılıçoğlu criticized that the recently launched Arabic broadcast of TRT E1Turkey has nothing to do with the Arabic spoken in the region of Siirt in south-eastern Turkey. The broadcast in common Arabic is incomprehensible by speakers of local dialects.