Articles by IPS Communication Foundation – Bianet
Recording of police conversation reveals prior knowledge of journalist Hrant Dink’s murder
(BIANET/IFEX) – As the murder trial of journalist Hrant Dink continued on 1 October 2007, a recording of the suspect Erhan Tuncel speaking to police intelligence officer Muhittin Zenit has emerged, though the prosecution has yet to procure it. The recorded conversation, made public by Murat Utku, a reporter with the Dogan News Agency (DHA), […]
Journalist on trial for criticising government
(BIANET/IFEX) – “The state made mistakes. When and where? Yesterday, in the East and South-East. Then in Istanbul. In Maras and Sivas. Today in Trabzon, Istanbul, Mersin and in the South-East.” These words have landed journalist Haci Bogatekin in court. Bogatekin owns the local “Gerger Firat” newspaper in Adiyaman, south-eastern Turkey. Because he criticised state […]
Cartoonist convicted, fined for satirising mayor
(BIANET/IFEX) – On 21 September 2007, the Kocaeli Second Penal Court sentenced cartoonist Muhammet Sengöz to 11 months and 20 days’ imprisonment for a satirical cartoon published in the “Free Kocaeli” newspaper. Kocaeli is a province to the east of Istanbul. The case was brought against Sengöz by Greater Kocaeli mayor Ibrahim Karaosmanoglu. The sentence […]
Human rights association reviews dismal freedom of expression situation in first six months of 2007
(BIANET/IFEX) – The following is a 24 September 2007 BIANET press release: IHD six-month report “Crimes of Thought”: 229 Years’ Imprisonment in Six Months Every six months, the Human Rights Association (IHD) publishes a report on human rights violations in Turkey. According to the report, in the first six months of 2007, 451 people were […]
Journalist Sinan Kara acquitted on one charge under Article 301, faces three others
(BIANET/IFEX) – “Gündem” journalist Sinan Kara, who has been imprisoned three times before, was acquitted in a trial concerning an article he wrote, in which he joined EU Commission Turkey representative Hans Jörg Kretschmer in criticising the army. The article was entitled “Barracks Party”. The Beyoglu Penal Court in Istanbul decreed that there were “no […]
Newspaper owner shot to death in Van
(BIANET/IFEX) – Kasim Ciftci, owner of the “Hakkari Province Voice” newspaper, aged 46, was killed in Van on 22 September 2007. His family took his body from the Van State Hospital on 23 September for burial in Hakkari, a province southeast of Van, in southeastern Turkey. Fellow journalist Necip Capraz, the owner of the “Yüksekova […]
As acquittal overturned, two academics face possible imprisonment for “inciting hatred” over report on minorities
(BIANET/IFEX) – Professors Ibrahim Kaboglu and Baskin Oran were acquitted on 10 May 2007 of “inciting to hatred and hostility” with the publication of the Minority Rights and Cultural Rights Working Group report. However, a court of appeal has now overturned the acquittal. The two have been on trial since 14 November 2005 under Article […]
“Gündem” newspaper suspended for 30 days for publishing two articles by Kurdish leader
(BIANET/IFEX) – The Istanbul 12th Penal Court has decreed that “Gündem” newspaper be suspended for 30 days as punishment for publishing two articles by Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Murat Karayilan. The newspaper was charged with spreading PKK propaganda, under the Anti-Terrorism Law. Editor-in-chief Yüksel Genc pointed out that the newspaper was being punished under […]