Balbal protests obstacles in front of freedom of opinion and Penal Code article 301 at Justice Ministry gates after being sentenced to 10 months for his book Flowers of Blood From A Captive General on Ararat.

Three journalists charged for a news article join among newsmen to be tried at Specialized Criminal Courts established to replacement State Security Courts. Charges against the journalists are based on coverages of Kurdish speakers in London

Istanbul court starts to hear case against Calislars Latife Hanim and Hurriyet Editor Necdet Tatlican on charges of Insulting Ataturk. Both face 4.5 years imprisonment if found guilty. Defendants dont attend first trial.

The outcry of the Armed Forces in the person of Buyukanit should be read rather more as the declaration of will of the military on Turkeys prospective route in the framework of new global conditions than the armys thirst for power.

Human Rights Foundation chair Onen, following the chief of staff Buyukanits statement talks about secularism, civilian-military relations, PKKs cease-fire declaration, the armys role, and Fascist expressions against human rights escalating .

MAZLUMDER Chairman says statements made by Turkeys Chief of Staff and President reflect a mentality of increasing polarization in the society, showing targets and discriminating: Tension between institutions is serving to repress demands for freedom.

Human Rights Association says PKK cease-fire is a historic opportunity for solving the Kurdish problem through democratic means: Care should be taken against provocations; PKK should give democratic methods a chance; society should participate in debate.

Prof. Dr. Dedeoglu says Ankara does not have the luxury to wait for silencing of guns to address the Kurdish problem. Solution based on discriminating between the Kurdish population and PKK, hearing demands and addressing them within the political system.

The European Court is to sit October 3 to evaluate the application of Turkish writer Fikret Baskaya who was sentenced to prison on charges of separatism for an article in the, Ozgur Bakis newspaper. Author charges his freedom of expression and right to

Social Forum of Turkey convenes in Istanbul over the weekend bringing together the countrys opposition groups from anti-war movements to NGOs, unions to trade chambers. In more than 40 meetings held , the highlighted message was: End USA Imperialism.

Public prosecutors charges Mersin 78ers Association Chairman Ethem Dincer and Ozgur Der member Bahadir Kurbanoglu of Istanbul under controversial Penal Code article 301. Dincer goes on trial October 3 and Kurbanoglu appears before court on December 15.

PKK has declared a unilateral cease-fire but has warned its continuation depends on Turkey not mounting any operation to annihilate the organization. PM Erdogan says cease-fire a term used between states and that organizations need to lay down arms.

After 10 days in custody British visual satirist Dickinson is to be deported from Turkey without any charge. Having spent 20 years in Turkey the artist is no longer welcome as a resident after mocking PM Erdogan in a collage as US President Bushs pet dog

Abdullah Ocalan, imprisoned leader of the Kurdish guerrilla PKK positively responds to growing national and international pressure for making a call to his militants for unilateral ceasefire. His call is expected to open the way for a peaceful solution.

Diyarbakir Mayor Baydemir acquitted on charges of allocating ambulance for funeral of PKK member while a separate court rules lack of jurisdiction in case against 12 DEHAP executives and sends file to Court of First Instance.

Turkeys Peace Initiative has applied to the Advertisement Self-Regulatory Board asking for a new campaign launched under the Wanted brand name with references to long range and pellet effect be banned. Group says it is wrong to use militarist expr

Commando Brigade soldiers have staged a protest of the city municipality carrying a banner calling for it to conduct duty and not separatism. Mayor Tekce said display was provocative and a continuation of the events since Semdinli bookstore bombing.

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.

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.

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.