(RSF/IFEX) – On 27 August 1997, Adil Harmanci, a journalist with the daily “Olkede Gundem”, was threatened with death by Saban Kahraman, head of village security, a civil authority instituted by the army. Kahraman also specifically let it be known to Harmanci’s neighbours in the Sabaniye quarter of Van, in eastern Turkey, that the journalist […]
(RSF/IFEX) – On 27 August 1997, Adil Harmanci, a journalist with the daily
“Olkede Gundem”, was threatened with death by Saban Kahraman, head of
village security, a civil authority instituted by the army. Kahraman also
specifically let it be known to Harmanci’s neighbours in the Sabaniye
quarter of Van, in eastern Turkey, that the journalist and his family had to
move out. The prefecture in Van was informed of the threats.
Harmanci had written an article in the newspaper “Demokrasi” –later shut
down and replaced by “Olkede Gundem” — which was critical of Kahraman.
Charged with assisting the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), he was remanded
into custody and later arrested in November 1996. Kahraman was released on
24 February 1997.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
of Harmanci and his family
Appeals To
His Excellency Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz
Basbakanlik
06573 Ankara, Turkey
Fax: +90 312 417 0476 or +90 312 230 8896Ministry of the Interior
Icisleri Bakanligi
06644 Ankara, Turkey
Fax: +90 312 418 1066 / 418 1795 / 417 2390Mr Lutfu Esengul
State Minister with responsibility for Human Rights
Office of the Prime Minister
Basbakanlik
06573 Ankara, Turkey
Fax: +90 312 417 0476President of Parliamentary Human Rights Commission:
Mr Demir Berberoglu
Insan Haklari Inceleme Komisyonu Baskani
TBMM, Ankara, Turkey
Fax: +90 312 420 5394your diplomatic representative in Turkey
the Turkish diplomatic representative in your country
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
