Articles by IPS Communication Foundation – Bianet
“Günlük Evrensel” newspaper, BIANET facing charges for article on ultranationalist group; charges against “Cumhuriyet” for violating ban dismissed
(BIANET/IFEX) – Prosecutor Muhittin Ayata in Istanbul has ruled that the prohibition on publishing or printing articles on the operations against the ultranationalist group Ergenekon is “unjustified”; he also ended legal proceedings against “Cumhuriyet” newspaper for violating the ban. The Ergenekon case started with the discovery of a weapons arsenal in Ümraniye, Istanbul, in 2007. […]
Various Diyarbakir authorities charged for publishing information in Kurdish or allowing language’s use at public events
(BIANET/IFEX) – A number of municipalities and local mayors in Diyarbakir are facing criminal proceedings for using Kurdish in their communications with the public, or even for simply allowing it to be used by citizens during public events. Diyarbakir is a Kurdish-majority city in the south-east of Turkey which has exploded in size because of […]
Lawyers demand change of judge in murder trial of three Zirve Publications employees
(BIANET/IFEX) – On 25 February 2008, hearings were held in the murder case of journalist Hrant Dink and in the separate case of three employees of Zirve Publications, also known as the “Malatya murders”. The future of Turkey’s democracy will be determined by the extent to which the shady connections in these murders are able […]
Suspects in journalist Hrant Dink’s murder and their lawyer removed from court after anti-Armenian hate speeches, interference with testimony
(BIANET/IFEX) – At the fourth hearing of the Hrant Dink murder trial on 25 February 2008, the court finally reacted to the intolerable behaviour of the defendants and their lawyer, Fuat Turgut. The fourth hearing had brought its usual share of tension, as the defendants and Turgut continued to behave aggressively toward the Dink family […]
Writer on trial for referring to Armenian genocide, urging others to do the same
(BIANET/IFEX) – During a protest gathering to condemn journalist Hrant Dink’s murder, writer Temel Demirer called on others to commit the same “crime” as Dink: to recognise the factuality of an “Armenian genocide.” He is now facing trial under Articles 301 and 216. The day after Dink’s murder on 19 January 2007, Demirer read a […]
Lawyer and human rights activist on trial for statements made to German newspaper “denigrating the army”
(BIANET/IFEX) – The General Staff has charged lawyer and human rights activist Eren Keskin for “denigrating the army” under Article 301, and asked the Istanbul Bar Association to carry out a disciplinary investigation against her. Following a complaint by the General Staff, the Kartal Chief Public Prosecution in Istanbul launched a trial against Eren Keskin, […]
Owner and editor of Turkish-Armenian newspaper face prison sentences for “attempting to influence the judiciary”; their lawyers reject biased court
(BIANET/IFEX) – Lawyers for the Turkish-Armenian “Agos” newspaper have demanded that the case against owner Serkis Seropyan and editor Aris Nalci be heard by a different court, arguing that the current one “cannot be independent and neutral” because two of its judges were involved in sentencing Seropyan and Arat Dink in a case under Article […]
Two “peace mothers” detained for several hours by police after trying to talk to press
(BIANET/IFEX) – Two “peace mothers” were taken into custody by police on 14 February 2008 after trying to make a press statement in Taksim. They were released six hours later, after activists called for their release. The Peace Mothers are a group of women opposed to the ongoing conflict between the Turkish Armed Forces and […]