On the third anniversary of the assassination of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, 'Friends of Hrant' and the Nor Zartonk formation commemorate the Turkish-Armenian journalist. Both groups strongly criticize that the murder case has not been solved yet despite conclusive evidence.

Journalists Ayaz and Ekinci had their finger prints taken at the homicide office due to a complaint of Batman University Rector Uluçam after critical reports about the rector. Ekinci criticized that they were targeted without legal course.

DİHA journalist Ersin Çelik was sentenced to six years and 3 months imprisonment under allegations of membership to the Patriotic Democratic Youth Council. He was sentenced together with another 27 defendants. The convicts will file an appeal against the decision.

Owner and editor of "Revolutionary Democracy" magazine Erdal Güler will remain in prison. Güler's release, expected for December 2009, was postponed for an indefinite time. He was sentenced for spreading propaganda for illegal organizations.

OSCE Representative on Freedom of Media Haraszti critisized in the recent conference: "The government waits for a 'mature' media before granting full legal implementation of freedom of media". IT lawyer Akdeniz demanded: "The internet law should be amended or abolished".

The murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Dink can only be solved by merging cases and pooling all facts from before and after the murder, joint attorneys Çetin and Tuna declared. "This murder cannot be solved by the measures taken until the present", the lawyers said.

The European Court of Human Rights found Turkey guilty of carrying out an insufficient investigation regarding the murder of university student Önder Babat.

Eight Romani families settled in Salihli after the racist attacks in the town of Selendi last week. Rents have been paid by the Governor's office for the coming six months and children are to be integrated into local schools. The Governorship tries to find work for the families.

On the Day of Working Journalists on 10 January journalists drew attention to common concerns, ongoing physical and verbal attacks and lack of legal protection. Journalists associations and media unions stated that there was nothing to celebrate.

Prior to his murder journalist Hayırsevener had said that he was "preparing an important file". He was under police protection in the evenings since he saw suspicious persons in front of the office. However, the journalist was targeted in broad daylight.

The Court of Appeals decided that the internet signature campaign "I apologize to the Armenians" does not constitute a crime. If the Sincan 1st High Criminal Court accepts the decision, no trial will be launched against the organizers of the campaign which has been supported by the signatures of 30,000 people already.

Çağdaş Tuzla newspaper owner Halil Özen applies to the European Court of Human Rights to take former AKP mayor Mehmet Demirci to justice. Özen demanded to try Demirci at a Turkish court for the closure of the newspaper offices in 2006, but the case was dropped.

The Şırnak Bar Association expects the Silopi Prosecution to start excavations in the area of Hezil Stream in south-eastern Turkey as soon as possible. Former JİTEM member Beğler stated that about 200 bodies are buried in a region pretended to be mined.

Postager.com web author İsmail Yıldız was released after he gave his statement in the context of a trial launched in Adana regarding the KCK organization. Yıldız was detained in an Istanbul prison for two days.

Tensions in the Manisa district of Selendi turned into a severe attack against Romani people on 6 January. Houses, towns and cars were destroyed in the racist attack. The displaced Romani were relocated in prefabricated houses in the nearby town of Salihli.

Turkish director Sinan Çetin addressed the Prime Minister and other politicians at the openening of an exhibition: "People with Turkish Ids are dying. You have the power, solve it, sir..."

An internet signature campaign has been launched for the release of detained BDP members and human rights defenders. The Human Rights Association Diyarbakır called the international community to act on behalf of association chairman Erbey.

Fehmi Kılıç, owner and editor-in-chief of Devrimci Hareket magazine, was convicted of spreading propaganda for two political organizations based on mentioning the organizations' names in two articles. Kılıç has to pay € 7,570 in compensation.

The Contemporary Lawyers Association filed complaints about Prime Minister Erdoğan, Interior Minister Atalay, two governors and provincial chiefs of police. The Association criticizes a lack of police action against recent lynch attempts in three Turkish cities.

Postager.com internet author Yıldız was taken to a prison in Istanbul under allegations of refusing testimony in a case launched after an operation against the Kurdistan Communities Confederation. If Yıldız is not released after giving his statement, he will be taken to Adana.