(Antenna-TR/IFEX) – The Ankara Chief Prosecutor has prepared a memorandum and sent it to the Ministry of Justice, to be delivered to the Parliament, seeking to strip Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) deputy (and former president) Mr. Ahmet Turk of his immunity, in order that Turk might be tried on the charge of “insult” to the […]
(Antenna-TR/IFEX) – The Ankara Chief Prosecutor has prepared a memorandum and sent it to the Ministry of Justice, to be delivered to the Parliament, seeking to strip Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) deputy (and former president) Mr. Ahmet Turk of his immunity, in order that Turk might be tried on the charge of “insult” to the army.
The pro-Kurdish DTP was the only political party not invited to an official reception organized by the army’s General Staff on 30 August 2007 to mark the “Day of Salvation”. On that occasion, Turk commented: “They all speak about separatism. Now it is clear to see who the real separatist is”.
The prosecutor accuses Turk of violating the infamous Article 301/2 of the Penal Code, regarding “insult to the Army”. If Turk is tried and found guilty, he would face imprisonment for six months to two years.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Send appeals to the Turkish authorities:
– demanding they refrain from persecuting Mr. Ahmet Turk for his comments
APPEALS TO:
Mr. Abdullah Gul
President of the State
Fax.: +90 312 427 1330
E-mail: cumhurbaskanligi@tccb.gov.tr
Mr. Koksal Toptan
President of the Parliament
Fax.: +90 312 420 5165
E-mail: Koksal.toptan@tbmm.gov.tr
Mr. R. Tayyip Erdogan
Prime Minister
Fax.: +90 312 417 0476
E-mail: receptayyip.erdogan@basbakanlik.gov.tr
Mr. M. Ali Sahin
Minister of Justice
Fax.: +90 312 414 6226
E-mail: Mehmet.sahin@tbmm.gov.tr
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
