An operation launched against the outlawed leftist MLKP organization two weeks ago continued this week with police teams enforcing search warrants on Ozgur Radyo, EKD, Atilim newspaper, BEKSAV, Limter-Is, Tekstil-Sen and many others.

Court acquits Mayor Demirbas on charges of propaganda in European Social Forum statement titled Municipalities and Local Administrations in the Light of the Multilingualism. Case was launched on grounds that the PKK also demands Kurdish language rights.

Two translators as well as the Turkish language publisher of Tirmans Spoils of War: The Human Cost of Americas Arms Trade are being prosecuted for publicly degrading the armed forces and insulting Ataturk. Defendants face 6.5 years imprisonment each.

Turkeys internationally acclaimed writer Elif Shafak got acquitted on the first hearing today from charges of insulting Turkishness in her last novel. Numerous intellectuals and activists supported Shafak and once again deemed the article 301.

Human rights groups are warning to authorities on the outlawed activities of intervening Jurists Union demanding measures and an investigation. Concerns mount over security at court due to rightwing groups public appeal to display national unity.

Four newsmen and five human rights activists involved in securing and covering the release of a Turkish soldier kidnapped by the PKK are to be tried at High Criminal Court unless their appeal is accepted. Prosecutor currently demands 5 years jail for each

Diyarbakir prosecutors have demanded 9 years imprisonment for IHD Provincial Chairman Selahattin Demirtas due to remarks he made on Gun TV and Roj TV. Demirtas is accused of propaganda for terror organization.

Metis issues public appeal asking everyone to attend the author Shafaks hearing while rightwing Jurists Union group declares it will be a day of national duty inviting all supporters to be at courthouse. She wont attend court having just given birth.

Following Sept. 12 arrest for a collage poster depicting Erdogan as Bushs dog, British artist Dickinson was transferred to a police station where he has been held under custody. He says he doesnt know why he is there as rights groups raise concern.

The case against four newsmen and five activists for their involvement in the PKKs release of kidnapped Turkish soldier Coskun Kirandi is to continue with Prosecutors opinion being read. If found guilty on charges each face 5 years jail.

Turkish courts are geared up to hear 45 press and freedom of expression cases until the end of the year. First case starts with the Kirandi trial on September 8 while eight journalists, writers and publishers are to face judges on October 5.

Armed assailants open fire on Adiyaman Journalists Association former chairman and local Mercan TV producer Ersoy in front of his house. Ersoy comes out of attack without being harmed. Adiyaman Haber newspaper and Journalists Association condemn attack

Arrested 3 months ago on allegations made by a state repentant, Reporter Demirkaya is to be tried for aiding and abetting the PKK. He faces 10 years imprisonment if found guilty and on separate trial for covering the release of kidnapped soldier Kirandi

A company in Malatya has refused to distribute Kurdish-language Azadiya Welat newspaper after publication turns daily following 12 years of weekly print. They are distributing through 12 bureaus across the country.

Pro-Kurdish Ozgur Gundem daily reopenes with the same court decision who last week ruled the newspapers closure under the new anti-terror law. Daily to appear on stands tomorrow but Turkeys media remains under threat unless restrictive articles removed.

Doz Publishing House editor Ali Riza Vural faces 3 years jail for publishing a 2-volume book on Iraqi Kurdish leader Barzani. Publisher charged with insulting and ridiculing the Republic. Next hearing listed for November 20 at Istanbul court.

Journalist organizations call on Constitutional Court to act to decide on articles of the new Anti-Terror Law that restrict media freedoms as two pro-Kurdish publications get banned from print in first implementation.

Istanbul Public Prosecutors Office has charged Ulkede Ozgur Gundem Editor-in-Chief Aykol with membership to an armed terror organization as his daily became the countrys first to be suspended from print under the new Anti-Terror Law.

President Sezer asks Constitutional Court to annul articles 5 and 6 of new Anti-Terror Law related to media coverage of terrorism, for ruling heavy fines for publishers and executives while allowing the closure of publications and suspension from print.

CGD Chair Abakay, IHD Istanbul Chair Sener and DTP Deputy Chair Kaplan condemn 15 day closure of Ulkede Ozgur Gundem daily under recent amendments made to Anti-Terror Law. Daily executive warns they will take the issue to Europe if persecution continues.