Erol Önderoğlu - Bianet

Erol Önderoğlu

Page 16

Police Officer Zenit's Case with bianet Dismissed

Police Officer Zenit's Case with bianet Dismissed

The Ankara court dismissed the compensation claim of intelligence officer Zenit filed with bianet. Zenit had sued bianet by reason of publishing the transcript of a telephone conversation between him and Tuncel, suspect in the murder case of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

"Ergenekon": 10 New Arrestes, Raid on Lawyer's Office

"Ergenekon": 10 New Arrestes, Raid on Lawyer's Office

The Istanbul police took another ten people into custody in the scope of the "Ergenekon" investigation. The office of Ergenekon case lawyer Yusuf Erikel was searched.

End of PKK Ceasefire?

End of PKK Ceasefire?

The KCK Executive Council Presidency announced that the near future will either see "a democratic solution or resistance". PKK leader Karayılan said at Reuters: "We can end the ceasefire and resume the armed struggle".

Former DTP Co-Chairs Face Heavy Prison Sentences

Former DTP Co-Chairs Face Heavy Prison Sentences

Former Democratic Society Party officials Türk and Tuğluk face imprisonment of 45 and 70 years respectively under charges of "spreading PKK propaganda". The former party members were imposed to a political ban after the closure of DTP.

Two Journalists on Trial for "Cosmic Room" Coverage

Two Journalists on Trial for "Cosmic Room" Coverage

A trial has been opened against Hürriyet newspaper journalist Kurt and editorial manager Kılıç although the related investigation into an assassination plot directed at Deputy PM Arınç is still continuing. Both defendants face imprisonment for taking and publishing pictures of Colonel E.Y.B.

Newroz Celebrations in South-Eastern Turkey

Newroz Celebrations in South-Eastern Turkey

Thousands of people called for dialogue and democracy in the Newroz celebrations in Yüksekova. Masses of people flowing into the city celebrated a peaceful beginning of the Iranian New Year.

Multicultural Yaşam Radio Gives Message of Peace

Multicultural Yaşam Radio Gives Message of Peace

The Istanbul Yaşam Radio presented the variety of its programs at a cocktail organized to make the radio staff meet with listeners and the media. Yaşam Radio broadcasts in Turkish and in minority languages and stands for a democratic initiative which includes the Kurds, Armenians and Alevis.

Journalists Tahmaz and Demirer Still in the Dock

Journalists Tahmaz and Demirer Still in the Dock

Hakan Tahmaz will have to appear at court on 1 June for his interview with PKK leading official Karayılan. Temel Demirer will stand trial on 20 May for his statement that Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was killed for recognizing the Armenian genocide.

Distributor of "Evrensel" Daily Wins at ECHR - Turkey Sentenced

Distributor of "Evrensel" Daily Wins at ECHR - Turkey Sentenced

The European Court of Human Rights decreed for a violation of freedom of speech regarding Evrensel newspaper distributor Görkem's being held in custody for three hours in June 2004. Turkey was sentenced by majority vote to pay € 1,800 in compensation.

Sledgehammer Coup Plan: Release of 33 Defendants Rejected

Sledgehammer Coup Plan: Release of 33 Defendants Rejected

The court decreed for the release of Rear Admiral Erdağ and Colonel Türkşen. Another 33 active and retired military officers will be kept in detention.

Another Lesson to the Media from Chief of General Staff

Another Lesson to the Media from Chief of General Staff

General İlker Başbuğ, Chief of General Staff, said to think well when publishing news about terrorism. At the same time, journalists are facing severe prison sentences related to news and interviews concerned with the Democratic Society Party or the PKK.

Freedom of Thought Vanquished Charges of Insult

Freedom of Thought Vanquished Charges of Insult

Alper Ateş was acquitted in the first hearing related to addressing the Prime Minister with the curse "God damn you". Ateş claimed he had "only told the truth about his living conditions". M.B.G., who stands accused of similar allegations, will have to appear before the court on 5 April.

Internet Censorship: Turkey "Under Surveillance" of RSF

Internet Censorship: Turkey "Under Surveillance" of RSF

Reporters Without Borders added Turkey and Russia to the organization's "under surveillance" list published in the latest report on 12 March. "Taboo topics" for Turkey are quoted as mainly related to Atatürk, the army, minorities and the dignity of the nation.

Publisher Taş Acquitted in 1 out of 13 Trials

Publisher Taş Acquitted in 1 out of 13 Trials

The prosecutor demanded to drop the case against publisher Taş regarding the book "The water of Avaşin is blue" by prescription. The Istanbul court acquitted Taş who stood accused of "spreading PKK propaganda". Another twelve cases are pending against the publisher.

Artist Dickinson Sentenced for "Insult of the Prime Minister"

Artist Dickinson Sentenced for "Insult of the Prime Minister"

"Turkey would be nicer without the threat of imprisonment". This was said by British collage artist Dickinson, who depicted President Erdoğan as the dog of former US President Bush. Dickinson was sentenced to 425 days imprisonment; his sentence was converted into a monetary fine and lifted at last.

Detentions in Belgium, Arrests in France

Detentions in Belgium, Arrests in France

Belgium Courts decided to prosecute Kongra-Gel leader Kartal together with PKK member Aydar and four other people in the context of the PKK operation in Belgium. In three French cities, employees of Roj TV and their family members were arrested.

Erotic Literature Is a Serious Offence!

Erotic Literature Is a Serious Offence!

Publisher Sancı and interpreter Yerguz face prison sentences on the grounds of the books "The fairy's pendulum", "The exploits of a young Don Juan" and "Letters of a well-mannered and knowledgeable bourgeois women". Lawyer Sakal: 'Publishing becomes a crime because of a lack of reforms'.

Director of "Laz Marks" Theatre Play on Trial

Director of "Laz Marks" Theatre Play on Trial

Director and actor Haldun Açıksözlu stands trial under charges of "insulting the prime minister" in the theatre play "Laz Marks". The show has been playing for one year in cooperation with the Leman Culture and 'Canşenlik' Actors.

DTP Member Sentenced for the Word "Respectable"

DTP Member Sentenced for the Word "Respectable"

DTP Iskenderun official Aydıncı was sentenced to a TL 1,500 monetary fine for addressing imprisoned PKK leader Öcalan as "respectable". Demokrat newspaper owner Korkmaz was acquitted though has pending another trial for six years.

Requests to Release 33 "Sledgehammer" Detainees Declined

SLEDGEHAMMER COUP PLAN

Requests to Release 33 "Sledgehammer" Detainees Declined

Colonel Karadağ, detained defendant of the Ergenekon case, gave his statement in the "Sledgehammer" investigation. The Istanbul court declined the appeals of the 33 detained retired and active military officers for their release.

Journalists Detained for Six Months - Release Rejected

Journalists Detained for Six Months - Release Rejected

Atılım newspaper journalists Küçükbattal and Mat will be kept in detention until 28 May. The journalists stand accused of participating in the destruction of a base station in Istanbul. Both defendants claim to have followed the incident as journalists.

Private TV Channels Take Flak from RTÜK

Private TV Channels Take Flak from RTÜK

The Radio and Television Supreme Council admonished ATV Europe by reason of the news about the population ratio of one woman in six men in Mongolia. The Council furthermore required justifications from Show TV, ATV, Star TV, Flash TV and Cine 5.

Earthquake in South-East Turkey: 57 Casualties

Earthquake in South-East Turkey: 57 Casualties

An earthquake of 6.0 on the Richter scale rocked the region of the south-eastern province of Elazığ with its epicentre in the Karakoçan County in the early morning hours of 8 March. Latest numbers speak of 57 casualties and more than 60 injured.

Roj TV Officials Still Detained in Belgium

Roj TV Officials Still Detained in Belgium

The Belgium police may keep KONGRA-GEL Chair Kartal, Aydar and another six people arrested in last week's raids in detention until 9 March. Kurdish television channel Roj TV claims a loss of € 1.2 million due to the operations. Kurds in several European countries voiced their protest.

Heavy Sentences for Three Journalists in South-East Turkey

Heavy Sentences for Three Journalists in South-East Turkey

Journalist Boğatekin received a 5 years, one month and seven days prison sentence for claiming prosecutor Ovacıklı's being close to religious leader Fethullah Gülen. He was furthermore deprived of his civil rights. Journalist Badur was handed down a TL 3,000 monetary fine.

TV Channel Fined for MP's Statement

TV Channel Fined for MP's Statement

In a programm on TV8 MP Genç accused Prime Minister Erdoğan and his Deputy Çiçek of corruption. The Radio and Television Supreme Council subjected the television channel to a warning penalty. The decision caused controversy within the Supreme Council.

Prison Sentence for Posting Reader Comment?

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Prison Sentence for Posting Reader Comment?

Barış Yarkadaş, publication director of the Gerçek Gündem internet site, stands trial for a reader comment which allegedly insulted President Gül. Yarkadaş said that the site does not post comments concerning the president any more. RSF is following the case up.

Raid on Kurdish Roj TV in Belgium

Raid on Kurdish Roj TV in Belgium

More than ten people were arrested in the course of a police raid in the Roj television studios on Thursday morning in Belgium. The police organized simultaneous raids at 25 places all over Belgium which are supposed to be connected to the PKK.

Edoğan's 'Warning' to Columnists Creates a Growing Stir

Edoğan's 'Warning' to Columnists Creates a Growing Stir

DSP MP Süleyman Yağız addressed Prime Minister Erdoğan with a letter of inquiry. The Prime Minister's 'warning' towards columnists caused strong reactions among journalists. Yağız asked Erdoğan critical questions about his statement and his attitude on press freedom.

Journalist Threatened by 'Cübbeli Ahmet Hoca'

Journalist Threatened by 'Cübbeli Ahmet Hoca'

Ahmet Mahmut Ünlü, also known as 'Cübbeli Ahmet Hoca, had Taraf newspaper journalist Fırat Alkaç threatened after he had invited him for an interview. Reason for the threat was the journalist's article about the Ismailağa Congregation.

Journalist Boğatekin Faces 10,000 TL Compensation Claim

Journalist Boğatekin Faces 10,000 TL Compensation Claim

AKP MP Mir Mehmet Fırat filed a case against Gerger Fırat newspaper owner Hacı Boğatekin with a 10,000 TL compensation claim.

Columnists Protest Prime Minister

PRESS FREEDOM

Columnists Protest Prime Minister

Turkish columnists published a joint statement referring to Prime Minister Erdoğan's call to "control newspaper bosses and columnists". 47 columnists signed the statement of protest until now.