"Yeni Demokrat Genclik" has been suspended based on an accusation of "praising crime and a criminal" and "spreading propaganda for the PKK".
(BIANET/IFEX) – 19 July 2011 – Publication of the “Yeni Demokrat Genclik” (YDG, New Democratic Youth) magazine has been suspended by order of the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court. The magazine has been shut down for one month. According to the “Ozgur Gundem” (Free Agenda) newspaper, the court suspended the publication of “Yeni Demokrat Genclik” based on an accusation of “praising crime and a criminal” and “spreading propaganda for the PKK”, the armed outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party.
“Yeni Demokrat Genclik” members criticised the decision and said that the aim of this oppressive action was to “create puppets that do not think or ask questions.”
A statement was released saying that the magazine had been subjected to several attacks. The police allegedly left threatening letters at the homes of high school students in Izmir who are affiliated with the magazine. The YDG members said that the action against “Yeni Demokrat Genclik” would not deter them from continuing to pursue their goals.
