Erol Önderoğlu - Bianet

Erol Önderoğlu

Page 15

New Investigation in Murder Case of Journalist Dink

New Investigation in Murder Case of Journalist Dink

Due to a decision taken by the Istanbul Governorship Administrative Board, a new investigation can be launched related to the murder case of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink into five former officials of the Istanbul Police Directorate who were on duty at the time.

Media's Important Role for Hate Crimes

CONFERENCE ON HATE SPEECH AND HATE CRIMES

Media's Important Role for Hate Crimes

Journalists highlighted the media's impact on hate crimes such as the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Dink or the killing of employees of a Christian publishing house. The results of the referring studies were discussed at the Conference on Hate Speech and Hate Crimes last weekend.

Turkey's Homework on Cybercrime

Turkey's Homework on Cybercrime

Yaman Akdeniz from the Bilgi University School of Law appreciated Turkey's decision to sign the European Convention on Cyber Crimes. However, Akdeniz emphasized that this was not enough, saying that the protection of individual data should be implemented in domestic law.

"Poyrazköy" - Armenian Agos Newspaper Rejected as Joint Plaintiff

"Poyrazköy" - Armenian Agos Newspaper Rejected as Joint Plaintiff

An Istanbul Court dismissed the request to be accepted as joint plaintiffs made by Turkish-Armenian Agos newspaper and the Armenian Church. Neither will the file be transferred to a military court as demanded by the defendants' lawyers. The case will continue on 15 April.

Major Doubts about Journalist's Death Brought to Parliament

Major Doubts about Journalist's Death Brought to Parliament

Bayandır from the Peace and Democracy Party brought the doubts about the suspicious death of Metin Alataş, employee of the Kurdish Azadiay Welat newspaper, to Interior Minister Atalay. Alataş was attacked a few months prior to his death and had previously claimed to be threatened.

Another 3 Years in Jail for Leyla Zana

Another 3 Years in Jail for Leyla Zana

Former MP of the closed Democracy Party Leyla Zana was sentenced to three years' imprisonment under charges of "propaganda for a terror organization" on the grounds of calling PKK leader Öcalan the "Leader of the Kurdish People". Lawyer Gümüş stated to file an appeal.

Journalist Detained for Speaking Kurdish at Court

Journalist Detained for Speaking Kurdish at Court

Mehdi Tanrıkulu, editorial manager of the Kurdish Azadiya Welat newspaper, was arrested upon his claim to make his defence in court in Kurdish. Tanrıkulu faces imprisonment of up to ten years. He referred to the Treaty of Lausanne and the European Court of Human Rights.

ECHR: Turkey Pays € 400,000 for Torture

ECHR: Turkey Pays € 400,000 for Torture

The European Court of Human Rights sentenced Turkey to a total fine of € 400,000 in compensation. Six applicant sought justice for allegedly being tortured in police custody in 1997. The responsible police officers of the time had not been tried.

"Yürüyüş" Magazine Banned for One Month

"Yürüyüş" Magazine Banned for One Month

An Istanbul Court decided to close the weekly Yürüyüş magazine because of alledged "propaganda for an illegal organization" based on an article entitled "We are on the way to Kızıldere". The 22nd issue of the magazine was confiscated. An investigation into the editorial manager was launched.

"Sledgehammer Coup Plan": Responsible Prosecutors Replaced

"Sledgehammer Coup Plan": Responsible Prosecutors Replaced

A total of 86 people were arrested in operations regarding the "Sledgehammer Coup Plan" carried out in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Çanakkale, 70 of them are active military officers. Chief Prosecutor Engin deposed investigation prosecutors Berk and Bayraktar from office.

Legal Procedures Deprive Journalists of Right to Appeal

Legal Procedures Deprive Journalists of Right to Appeal

Turkish Journalists Society President Erniç criticized that issues like freedom of expression, the right to inform and journalists' work security and safety of life "are doomed to remain in hollow words". Journalists are controlled by postponing the pronouncement of judgement, Erinç said.

RTÜK in Control again?

RTÜK in Control again?

According to a drafted amendment of the Law on Radio and Television Broadcasting Institutions and Publishing Rights, the limit of foreign investment shall increase to 50 percent and RTÜK shall take over supervision and the ascertaining of the number of viewers.

Another 20 Arrests in "Sledgehammer Coup Plan" Investigation

Another 20 Arrests in "Sledgehammer Coup Plan" Investigation

Police operations in the context of the "Sledgehammer coup plan" carried out in Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir and Çanakkale on 5 April resulted in the arrest of 20 people. Senior Rear Admiral Tuncay Çakan from the Istanbul Gülhane Military Medical Academy was among the people arrested.

TRT Launched Broadcast in Arabic

TRT Launched Broadcast in Arabic

TRT started broadcasting in Arabic via the TRT El Turkey television channel. PM Erdoğan said at the opening ceremony, "Even though our faces look to the west, by no means does that mean we are turning our backs to the east". The channel can be watched via satellite by more than 3 million viewers.

Suspicious Death of Reporter of Kurdish Daily

Suspicious Death of Reporter of Kurdish Daily

Metin Alataş, employee of the Kurdish Azadiya Welat newspaper, was found dead in the Hadırlı district of Adana. Newspaper editor Boltan doubts an alleged suicide: "Altaş was killed by illegal forces or he was forced to commit suicide", Boltan argued.

Conscientious Objector in Jail, his Supporters on Trial

Conscientious Objector in Jail, his Supporters on Trial

Enver Aydemir, conscientious objector for religious reasons, has been treated as a "deserter" for about three years now. His lawyers stated a lack of authority of the military court. The court declined their request and sentenced Aydemir to ten months imprisonment.

Writer Sarısözen Sentenced to 15 Months

Writer Sarısözen Sentenced to 15 Months

Günlük newspaper journalist Sarısözen was handed down a 15 months prison sentence for "spreading propaganda for an illegal organization" because he called the PKK a "rebel organization". Newspaper owner Ürper was acquitted, former editorial manger Aktan is wanted by the police.

No Significant Progress in Murder Case of Ahmet Yıldız

LGBT RIGHTS

No Significant Progress in Murder Case of Ahmet Yıldız

In the murder case of homosexual Ahmet Yıldız, the court continues the search for prime suspect and father of the victim Yahya Yıldız and Orhan Aymelek, owner of a car rental. By a directive of the president judge, the audience in front of the court house was not allowed inside.

Journalist Nazlı Ilıcak Sentenced to Silence for Criticism

Journalist Nazlı Ilıcak Sentenced to Silence for Criticism

Journalist Nazlı Ilıcak received a prison sentence for describing Judge Osman Kaçmaz as "officious". Kacmaz intended to sue President Abdullah Gül in the context of the "Lost Billions" case. Ilıcak's sentence was converted to a five years' probation period.

Four Politicians on Trial for Speaking Kurdish

Four Politicians on Trial for Speaking Kurdish

Hakkari Mayor Fadıl Bedirhanoğlu, former mayor Kazım Kurt and officials of closed Democratic Society Party Fahri Kurt and Rahmi Temel stand trial for addressing their electorate in Kurdish in the run-up to the 2009 local elections.

Journalist Attacked by Gaddafi's Body Guards and then Arrested

Journalist Attacked by Gaddafi's Body Guards and then Arrested

Journalist Tezel was attacked by the body guards of the son of Lybian leader Muammer Gaddafi when he tried to take his photograph. Subsequently, it was Tezel who was arrested by the police. The Turkish Journalists' Association urged the Chief of Police to take the necessary consequences.

Local Newspaper Repels Compensation Claim

Local Newspaper Repels Compensation Claim

A court in Istanbul dismissed a compensation claim of more than € 30,000 filed against Günlük Evrensel newspaper. The court decreed that the local daily did not target the TÜPRAG Company by covering environmental damage caused by the Ovacık Gold Mine.

Kurdish Journalist Vedat Kurşun Sentenced to 3 Years

Kurdish Journalist Vedat Kurşun Sentenced to 3 Years

Former editorial manager of the Kurdish Azadiya Welat newspaper Vedat Kurşun was sentenced to three years imprisonment by a Diyarbakır court because of publishing obituaries of killed PKK members and statements of imprisoned PKK leader Öcalan.

Local Public Education Director Threatened Local Newspaper

Local Public Education Director Threatened Local Newspaper

Tunceli Provincial Public Education Branch Director Çakmak took aim at the local Emek newspaper because the daily had criticized the education system. The Provincial Public Education Directorate launched an investigation, Çakmak will be tried on 11 May.

Mayor Acquitted for Bringing Homes Water Free of Charge

Mayor Acquitted for Bringing Homes Water Free of Charge

The Dikili Criminal Court of First Instance acquitted Mayor Özgüven and municipality officials of charges of misconduct of office. The mayor and his colleagues stood trial because people in the district had not been charged for the consumption of 10 tons of water.

2 Publication Bans in 3 Days for Kurdish Azadiya Welat Newspaper

2 Publication Bans in 3 Days for Kurdish Azadiya Welat Newspaper

Within three days, the Istanbul High Criminal Court imposed another publication ban on the Kurdish Azadiya Welat newspaper based on two articles and one obituary for a PKK member. One of the articles mentioned is entitled "Heroism week is the saga of freedom".

Repeal of Accreditation Ban in April?

Repeal of Accreditation Ban in April?

The State Council asked the Prime Ministry Press Centre about the basis of the procedure regarding journalist Özer's cancellation of her accreditation. State Council Prosecutor Şahin requested to annul the procedure. Özer is going to wait for another month.

bianet at Media Forum in France

bianet at Media Forum in France

Dozens of media representatives attended the International Forum for Informing Citizens in Nice to talk about the different sections of journalism and press freedom and to convey the basic concepts of media to thousands of high school students.

Prosecutor Reckons Fictional Protagonists to be "Dangerous"

Prosecutor Reckons Fictional Protagonists to be "Dangerous"

While the previous prosecutor demanded acquittal for publisher Zarakolu, the new prosecutor requests his punishment for the book "More difficult decisions than death". Zarakolu stated that the atmosphere of the trial seems to change according to the country's climate.

53 Detainees Apply to ECHR after 1 Year in Prison

53 Detainees Apply to ECHR after 1 Year in Prison

Almost one year has passed since the detention of 53 people, among them politicians and journalists, related to an operation against the Kurdish KCK organization. The lawyers of the detainees applied to the ECHR after no action had been taken by Turkish courts for ten months.

"Critical Talks" between Şükre and State Council Attack Suspect

FIRST ERGENEKON CASE

"Critical Talks" between Şükre and State Council Attack Suspect

"Ergenekon" defendant Şükre admitted to have given weapons related to the State Council attack in 2006 to Arslan, one of the prime suspects of the attack. Apparently, Şükre provided a car and weapons to him. Both defendants spoke to each other on the phone on the day of the attack.

Yet Another Trial for Pro-Kurdish Politicians Türk and Tuğluk

Yet Another Trial for Pro-Kurdish Politicians Türk and Tuğluk

Banned politicians Türk and Tuğluk are now on trial regarding the hand-over of eight soldiers kept hostage by the PKK in 2007. The Ankara Chief Prosecution demands five years imprisonment each on account of a picture of PKK leader Öcalan at the place of the hand-over.