(WiPC/IFEX) – Turkish journalist Burak Bekdil faces possible trial for an article deemed to be “insulting to the state and its institutions.” The article, published in August 2001 in the prestigious English-language “Turkish Daily News” (TDN), tackles the serious issue of corruption within the judiciary in a light hearted commentary. Bekdil was called to the […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – Turkish journalist Burak Bekdil faces possible trial for an article deemed to be “insulting to the state and its institutions.” The article, published in August 2001 in the prestigious English-language “Turkish Daily News” (TDN), tackles the serious issue of corruption within the judiciary in a light hearted commentary. Bekdil was called to the prosecutor’s office on 26 September and expects to be issued with a formal arrest warrant in the next few days. International PEN believes that if Bekdil’s prosecution proceeds, this would be in direct breach of his right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights (Article 10).
“For a peaceful life in Turkey, goes the saying, you would need among your close relatives a doctor, a police chief, a car mechanic and, most importantly, a judge.” This is how Bekdil, a respected journalist for the TDN opened his regular “Equilibrium” column, published in the 28 August edition of TDN. Entitled “Turkey’s de jure untouchables”, the article goes on to list fourteen steps for those “brave (or crazy) enough to seek justice at a Turkish court.” His advice ranges from making friends with the court clerk through to never filing a complaint against a judge. Little did he know that, a month later, he too would find himself grappling with Turkey’s “notoriously complex” legal system. (Bekdil’s article is available on request from the WIPC head office, intpen@gn.apc.org)
On 26 September, Burak Bekdil was called to the State Prosecutor’s Office to hear that he would be charged under Article 159 of the Turkish Penal Code (“insult to the state and its institutions”) for his article, carrying a maximum prison term of six years. He was also told to expect a formal
arrest warrant within a few days, after which he may be imprisoned, pending trial. The TDN may also be prosecuted.
Background Information
Bekdil, aged 35, is an Economics graduate of the Middle East Technical University, and did his post-graduate studies at the University of Surrey, United Kingdom, on a British Council sponsorship. He has been writing his column for the TDN for ten years. Between 1996 and 1999 he was Ankara Bureau Chief for Dow Jones Newswires, and in 2000 was Ankara Bureau Chief for CNBC-e television. He also writes for four western publications, including the US weekly “Defense News”.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– expressing alarm that Bekdil is under threat of imprisonment and trial solely for the publication of his article criticising the Turkish judicial system
– pointing out that should the prosecution against Bekdil proceed, this would be in direct breach of his right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights, to which Turkey is a signatory
– therefore urging that Bekdil’s prosecution be halted and that he not be imprisoned
Appeals To
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit
Basbakanlik
Cankaya
Ankara, Turkey
Fax: + 90 312 417 0476
His Excellency Hikmet Sami Turk
Minister of Justice
Adalet Bakaligi
06440 Bakaniklar
Ankara, Turkey
Fax: + 90312 417 3954
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
