Reduced to 1/40, Yet Fines Still in Force

Reforms in Turkish laws, in line with the country’s European Union membership bid, are yet far from leading publishers out of the labyrinth of fines and penalties. A recent example is the case of Haci Bogatekin owner and publisher of local “Gerger Firat” newspaper, based in the southeast district of Gerger, Adiyaman.

Bogatekin was fined for USD 13,000 for the missing date of print and address of the publishing house in one of the past issues of his paper. The local prosecutor upon the publisher’s request has revised the decision on the basis of recent amendments in the press laws and converted the fine to USD 333. However, still dissentient, Bogatekin prepares to object to the local prosecutor’s decision before the court claiming that omittance of necessary details in the printed paper is not his, but the printing house’s fault.

Bogatekin is further charged with “insulting and belittling the Turkish Republic” for his article titled “The Gang State” published in the same issue and faces 6 to 36 months in prison.

On 20 September local Head Prosecutor’s Office in Gerger notified the journalist that he was fined for 19 billion 531 million 500 thousand liras (USD 13,000) for having violated the press law. He was further warned that if the fine was not paid in 10 days he might face trial and if found guilty meet 50 percent increase in the fine.

Published fortnightly the “Gerger Firat” newspaper was founded in 1992, and has 3000 subscribers in a district with 30 thousand population. (CC/EK/YE)