Articles by IPS Communication Foundation – Bianet
Kurdish politician Mahmut Alinak on trial for “insult” following his criticism of PM
(BIANET/IFEX) – Mahmut Alinak, former Kars province (eastern Turkey) party chair of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP), is on trial and facing a possible prison sentence, for a letter he sent Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Kurdish and in which he said, “You have deceived the people of Kars.” Alinak has previously been […]
Author Latife Tekin harassed for questioning archaeological land acquisition
(BIANET/IFEX) – Several men assaulted and harassed author Latife Tekin when she questioned the improper acquisition of an archaeological site during a panel discussion in Bodrum, Mugla. At the panel discussion entitled “Gümüslük’s problems and Mydos excavations”, Tekin attempted to ask the speakers whether the lands in question should be expropriated or not. She was […]
Columnist Veysi Sarisözen and managing director Ziya Çiçekçi charged with producing “terrorist propaganda”
(BIANET/IFEX) – “Günlük” daily columnist Veysi Sarisözen and managing director Ziya Çiçekçi will face trial on allegations of “propaganda of a terrorist organization” with regard to an article titled, “We don’t do propaganda; the public does”. Prosecutor Hüseyin Ayar claimed that the article published on 6 February 2009, is a violation of Article 7/2 of […]
Journalist Perihan Magden sentenced for insulting a singer and a songwriter, ordered to pay fine
(BIANET/IFEX) – Former “Radikal” newspaper journalist Perihan Magden has been convicted for insulting songwriter Arif Sirin (also known as Ozan Arif) and singer Ismail Türüt in the media. Magden has been ordered to pay a fine of 3,480 TL (approx. 1,550 euros). She has said that she will appeal to the European Court of Human […]
Reporter Abdurrahman Gök arrested, accused of “making terrorist propaganda”
(BIANET/IFEX) – The Dicle News Agency (DIHA) has condemned the police action against their reporter, Abdurrahman Gök, who was taken into police custody on 23 March 2009, in Siirt. His arrest was ordered the next day. He is accused of “making terrorist propaganda”. Currently, four reporters from the agency are in prison. DIHA editorial manager […]
Radio Dünya acquitted for second time on charges related to broadcasting Kurdish song
(BIANET/IFEX) – Radio Dünya, based in the province of Adana, has been acquitted for a second time on charges of “incitement to hatred and hostility” after the airing of a Kurdish song had landed it in court. The station’s broadcasting editor, Mehmet Arslan, was also acquitted. Following a trial and acquittal in 2007 for broadcasting […]
Campaign to free Kurdish politician Leyla Zana launched
(BIANET/IFEX) – A group of rights activists has started a campaign against the 10-year prison sentence handed down to Kurdish politician Leyla Zana. A campaign to free Zana has been started by rights activists – among them, writers Bilgesu Erenus, Murathan Mungan, Seyhmus Diken and Ragip Zarakolu, human rights activists Hürriyet Sener, Esber Yagmurdereli and […]
CAPSULE REPORT: BIANET annual report records rise in threats against free expression in 2008
(BIANET/IFEX) – The following is a 16 March 2009 BIANET press release: Bia Media Monitoring Report 2008 Summary 435 “Thought Crimes” in Turkey in 2008 In 2008, the political landscape in Turkey became more polarised and the Kurdish question remained unresolved. Both government and army displayed intolerance toward criticism of their performance and questioning of […]