freedom of expression

Three journalists from Northern Cyprus will face trial for likening former Turkish President Necdet Sezer to the devil and therefore jeopardizing the relations between the countries.

The court sentenced publisher Ali Rıza Vural of Doz Publishing to “doing propaganda work for the Kurdish Workers Party” by publishing Hasan Bildirici’s novel that used the words “Kurd” and “Kurdish People.”

The court finally makes it possible to look into Colonel Öz's neglect in Hrant Dink’s murder.

Adnan Oktar, the "Creationist" preacher upon whose claims of personal humiliation many internet sites have been closed by court decision, threatens Bianet too: “Articles by two academics dmages my personal dignity. Lift these orwe will have you banned like Richard Dawkin’s site.” There is no insult, so we are not removing the article!

After transsexual singer Bülent Ersoy, writer Cezmi Ersöz is also sued for writing a story that allegedly alienates people from military service. Both Ersoy and Ersöz will appear before court on October 30.

Journalists Vatandaş and Belek of opposition newspaper Evrensel receive prison sentences for publishing a declaration by the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK).

The Democratic Society Party deputies show their support for the newspaper Azadiya Welat, closed by a court order for one month.

Lawyer Kemalettin Gülen faces the court for threatening Hurriyet columnist Ahmet Hakan Coşkun. According to BİA Media Monitoring Report of July 18, two journalists, one academician and one writer were threatened In April-May-June period.

Daily Star’s news about the five lieutenants gets General Staff’s ire and formal complaint with the Press Council follows. In return, the council condemns the newspaper for violating the Code of Professional Ethics of the Press.

Caricaturist Özdaba, who criticized Yalçınkaya, Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Court, by drawing him as an owl wearing a cloak, is on trial.

The court has fined daily Hurriyet’s reporter and managers for conducting an interview with the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK). They were accused of “publishing the comments of the terrorist organization” and “doing propaganda work for the PKK”.

While caricaturist Şengöz is sentenced to a fine for criticizing Kocaeli’s mayor with his caricatures, a publisher, a translator and a historian are sentenced to compensatory payment for publishing a book about the treatment of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire in 1915.