The Diyarbakır Prosecution demands a total of 127.5 years imprisonment for 17 members of the "Peace Groups" that entered Turkey in 2009. They are charged with "spreading organizational propaganda" and "praising crime and criminals" in a press conference at the Human Rights Foundation.

TRT started broadcasting in Arabic via the TRT El Turkey television channel. PM Erdoğan said at the opening ceremony, "Even though our faces look to the west, by no means does that mean we are turning our backs to the east". The channel can be watched via satellite by more than 3 million viewers.

Metin Alataş, employee of the Kurdish Azadiya Welat newspaper, was found dead in the Hadırlı district of Adana. Newspaper editor Boltan doubts an alleged suicide: "Altaş was killed by illegal forces or he was forced to commit suicide", Boltan argued.

Massive police presence intervened against Tekel workers in Ankara. A press release by unionists had to be re-located. Tekel workers will continue their resistance against the loss of employee personal rights with protest actions of several days' duration each in the coming months.

In a single hearing, a 15-year-old child was sentenced to imprionment of more than six years. The conviction was based on police statements and a photo showing a child from behind. Lawyer Turgay Berk appealed to the decision.

Enver Aydemir, conscientious objector for religious reasons, has been treated as a "deserter" for about three years now. His lawyers stated a lack of authority of the military court. The court declined their request and sentenced Aydemir to ten months imprisonment.

Günlük newspaper journalist Sarısözen was handed down a 15 months prison sentence for "spreading propaganda for an illegal organization" because he called the PKK a "rebel organization". Newspaper owner Ürper was acquitted, former editorial manger Aktan is wanted by the police.

In the murder case of homosexual Ahmet Yıldız, the court continues the search for prime suspect and father of the victim Yahya Yıldız and Orhan Aymelek, owner of a car rental. By a directive of the president judge, the audience in front of the court house was not allowed inside.

Journalist Nazlı Ilıcak received a prison sentence for describing Judge Osman Kaçmaz as "officious". Kacmaz intended to sue President Abdullah Gül in the context of the "Lost Billions" case. Ilıcak's sentence was converted to a five years' probation period.

Hakkari Mayor Fadıl Bedirhanoğlu, former mayor Kazım Kurt and officials of closed Democratic Society Party Fahri Kurt and Rahmi Temel stand trial for addressing their electorate in Kurdish in the run-up to the 2009 local elections.

Journalist Tezel was attacked by the body guards of the son of Lybian leader Muammer Gaddafi when he tried to take his photograph. Subsequently, it was Tezel who was arrested by the police. The Turkish Journalists' Association urged the Chief of Police to take the necessary consequences.

Six children received a 7.5-year prison sentence each under charges of "membership of an illegal organization and spreading its propaganda". The decision was based on police statements only. Lawyer Güngör criticized the conviction.

A court in Istanbul dismissed a compensation claim of more than € 30,000 filed against Günlük Evrensel newspaper. The court decreed that the local daily did not target the TÜPRAG Company by covering environmental damage caused by the Ovacık Gold Mine.

Former editorial manager of the Kurdish Azadiya Welat newspaper Vedat Kurşun was sentenced to three years imprisonment by a Diyarbakır court because of publishing obituaries of killed PKK members and statements of imprisoned PKK leader Öcalan.

Tunceli Provincial Public Education Branch Director Çakmak took aim at the local Emek newspaper because the daily had criticized the education system. The Provincial Public Education Directorate launched an investigation, Çakmak will be tried on 11 May.

The constitutional draft law removed the term "The state protects children from sexism". The term will be exchanged by "protective measures against all kinds of child abuse", if the bill should be ratified. Lawyer Akço appreciated the amendment.

The Dikili Criminal Court of First Instance acquitted Mayor Özgüven and municipality officials of charges of misconduct of office. The mayor and his colleagues stood trial because people in the district had not been charged for the consumption of 10 tons of water.

Within three days, the Istanbul High Criminal Court imposed another publication ban on the Kurdish Azadiya Welat newspaper based on two articles and one obituary for a PKK member. One of the articles mentioned is entitled "Heroism week is the saga of freedom".

The State Council asked the Prime Ministry Press Centre about the basis of the procedure regarding journalist Özer's cancellation of her accreditation. State Council Prosecutor Şahin requested to annul the procedure. Özer is going to wait for another month.

Dozens of media representatives attended the International Forum for Informing Citizens in Nice to talk about the different sections of journalism and press freedom and to convey the basic concepts of media to thousands of high school students.