Writer Sarısözen Sentenced to 15 Months

"We say that we are not experiencing a struggle against terrorism but in fact an undeclared war, let it be just or not, between the state powers and rebellious insurgents".

Statements like this and saying that 30,000 people have been killed since 1984 in a "war of low intensity" were shown as reasons to sentence Günlük newspaper journalist Veysi Sarısözen to imprisonment of 15 months under charges of "spreading propaganda for the PKK", the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party.

Newspaper owner acquitted, arrest warrant for former editorial manager

The hearing was held on 1 April at the Istanbul 10^th High Criminal Court. The decision was based on an article entitled "Terror or war?" published on 14 June 2007. Journalist Sarısözen was convicted under article 7/2 of the Anti-Terror Act (TMY). The court did not consider converting the penalty into a monetary fine or suspending it.

The court acquitted former Günlük newspaper concessionaire Veysi Ürper. It was decided to extend the arrest warrant previoudly issued on former editorial manager Özlem Aktan since his statement could not be taken yet. The court will take a decision after his statement will have been heard.

Two more trials for Sarısözen

Sarısözen and current newspaper concessionaire Ziya Çiçek are facing imprisonment of another 7.5 years each for the article "It is not us but the people spreading organizational propaganda" published on 6 February 2009.

Additionally, Sarısözen stands trial on the grounds of his article entitled "One of the results of the election" published on 10 April 2009. In this writing, the journalist demanded to release PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has been imprisoned on Imralı Island since 1999. (EÖ/VK)