(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is deeply alarmed by the recent arrest and indictment of Hasan Deniz, editor of the daily “Özgür Bakis”. On 4 June 1999, state prosecutors at the Istanbul State Security Court charged Deniz with violating Article 169 of the Penal Code (aiding an illegal organization) and ordered his immediate arrest. According to staff […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is deeply alarmed by the recent arrest and indictment of
Hasan Deniz, editor of the daily “Özgür Bakis”.
On 4 June 1999, state prosecutors at the Istanbul State Security Court
charged Deniz with violating Article 169 of the Penal Code (aiding an
illegal organization) and ordered his immediate arrest. According to staff
at “Özgür Bakis”, the charge against Deniz stems from the newspaper’s
publication of an article on 3 June 1999, titled “PKK Gives Support to
Öcalan’s Project.” The article reported on a statement issued by the
outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) supporting the call by Abdullah
Öcalan-the PKK leader who is now standing trial in Turkey on treason
charges-for an end to violence and a “democratic solution” to political
violence between Turkey and Kurdish rebels. The story had been widely
reported by the local and international press.
Deniz is currently in Istanbul’s Ümraniye Prison.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to His Excellency Hikmet Sami Türk:
violation of the right to free expression as guaranteed under international
law
guarantees journalists the right to “seek, receive, and impart information
and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”
all
charges against him be dropped in accordance with international standards
for a free press
journalists
to practice their profession freely without state reprisal
Appeals To
His Excellency Hikmet Sami Türk
Minister of Justice
Ankara, Turkey
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
