"Propagandation in Kurdish" Is A Crime In İzmir, Not So In Digor
Despite a recent positive approach by a prosecutor in Digor, a colleague in İzmir contradicts his optimism by filing a case against the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) Karabağlar mayor Cemal Coşgun and Gaziemir mayor Şehmuz Seyhan on allegations of violating the political party law by "propagating in Kurdish".
Two DTP members will stand trial on 31 July at Bakırköy 10th Criminal Court. The alleged "crime" took place two days prior to the local elections on 29 March.
The prosecutor's office in İzmir stated in the indictment "the accused had owned up to the alleged crime, proposing that the constitution and the current legislation fails to answer the needs of the society, therefore speaking in Kurdish."
The prosecution stated that the law on political parties explicitly states that political propaganda in languages other than Turkish is forbidden.
Noting that three other inquiries are filed against him, Cosgun expressed his concern to bianet.
"Existing legislation doesn't cover the needs of the society. The constitution was prepared following the military coup of 1980 and it exerts pressure on the society. Taking someone to court because of speaking in his or her mother tongue is a shame." (EÖ/AGÜ)
BİA MEDIA MONITORING REPORT
The era of 'judicial control' confinement and torture in journalism
![The era of 'judicial control' confinement and torture in journalism](https://static.bianet.org/list-haber/2024/05/02/the-era-of-judicial-control-confinement-and-torture-in-journalism.webp)
BİA MEDIA MONITORING / JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023
Desire to silence journalists to conceal crimes
![Desire to silence journalists to conceal crimes](https://static.bianet.org/list-haber/2023/10/04/desire-to-silence-journalists-to-conceal-crimes.jpg)
BİA MEDIA MONITORING / APRIL-MAY-JUNE 2023
Pressure on journalists increases following the elections
![Pressure on journalists increases following the elections](https://static.bianet.org/system/uploads/1/articles/spot_image/000/281/362/original/basınozgurlugu.jpg)
MAY 3 WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
Journalism fighting for survival before the elections
![Journalism fighting for survival before the elections](https://static.bianet.org/system/uploads/1/articles/spot_image/000/278/119/original/eng1_(12).jpg)
BİA MEDIA MONITORING REPORT 2022
Journalists shackled ahead of elections
![Journalists shackled ahead of elections](https://static.bianet.org/system/uploads/1/articles/spot_image/000/274/640/original/Ozgurbasın1.jpg)