Articles by IPS Communication Foundation – Bianet
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 […]
Journalist, two editors, fined for publishing interview with Kurdish militant
(BIANET/IFEX) – The Istanbul 10th Penal Court has sentenced “Hürriyet” newspaper journalist Sebati Karakurt to an advance payment of 455 YTL (approx. US$350). Karakurt is being tried for an interview he conducted with Kurdish Kongra-Gel militants on Kandil Mountain in Northern Iraq. He faces a possible prison sentence. Hasan Kilic and Necdet Tatlican, editors at […]
Singer accused of spreading terrorist propaganda
(BIANET/IFEX) – Singer Ferhat Tunc is facing charges for having called for peace, and for reminding people that members of the illegal pro-Kurdish guerilla group PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) and the Maoist Communist Party (MKP) who die are also “children of this country.” At a concert in Alanya (Antalya district, southern Turkey) on 22 July […]
Lawyer to be tried for alleged insult uttered during defence of journalists
(BIANET/IFEX) – Yücel Sayman, the former president of the Istanbul Bar Association, is being tried for insulting nationalist lawyer Kemal Kerincsiz’s lawyers. The insult is alleged to have taken place at a trial of journalists from the “Agos” newspaper for influencing the judiciary. Sayman is to be tried in February 2008 for words he allegedly […]
Authorities block another website following complaint by religious leader; others unblocked
(BIANET/IFEX) – The judiciary in Turkey has again blocked access to a website because of the content of one item on the site. Following the blocking of the alternative dictionary website “Eksisözlük” (literally, “sour dictionary”; http://sozluk.sourtimes.org/Default.asp? ) and the website Antoloji.com ( http://www.antoloji.com/ ), access to the website WordPress.com ( http://wordpress.com/ ) has now also […]