Prof. Yayla will face court for his criticism of the pervasive presence of images of Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic images in the country as well as the ideology named after him, Kemalizm. Theres a specific law to protect Atatürks legacy.

Journalist Uçar will be tried with the infamous article 301 of the Penal Code following criticizing the prosecution of a colleague for a book about a disappeared journalist. Hell stand trial on March 14 for insulting state institutions.

An Istanbul court temporarily banned the publication of pro-Kurdish daily Ülkede Özgür Gündem for a month following news that the ex-guerilla leader Abdullah Öcalan is being poisoned in prison. The government denied such allegations.

Pro-Kurdish DTP leader Ahmet Türk has been condemned to six months in prison for referring ex-guerilla leader Öcalan in a respectable manner. Three other local party administrators have been arrested for making propaganda of the terrorist organization.

Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, who was gunned down on January 19 has been commemorated on the 40th day of his death. Hundreds attended the ceremony. Patriarch Mesrob II urged the authorities to find those behind the killing.

Local journalist Emin Bal faces a trial on deprecating police officers, who he claims have harassed him while under custody. They offered me to serve as a police agent and when I rejected, they retailated in this manner, Bal claims. Case continues.

Journalists organizations criticize the new draft legislation on States secret information as a new tool for oppression on journalists and freedom of expression in general. The draft leaves the control to decide whats secret or not to the government.

ECHR condemned Turkey on three accounts involving the right to a fair hearing and to liberty and security. Mustafa Benli, editor and propriator of three political magazines had been imprisoned for being a member to an illegal organization by DGM in 1999.

Following the Journalists Association of Turkey, the Press Council met with the Minister of Justice Cemil Çiçek and handed in their reform proposal on the infamous article 301 of the Penal code. Main opposition leader Baykal rejects pleas for reform.

A university student has been condemned to a 20-months imprisonment sentence because of his remarks about the pro-Kurdish guerilla group PKK, during a television programme. The court ruled that he made propaganda of the terrorist organization.

Comtemporary Journalists Association criticized the tax investigation towards Kanalturk founders and programmers as hostile and politically motivated. Government is trying to silence media thats not in par with its policies, CGD chair Akabay said.

Monitoring media freedoms and rights in Turkey, BIA² discloses its 2006 Report. Cases against journalists, publishers and activists rose to 293 last year where the infamous article 301 of the new Penal Code reached international scene as intransigent tool

Daily Yeni Asya editor-in-chief Faruk Cakır has been convicted of attempting to influence the court. The article in question alleged that the State Council shooting suspect in May 2006 had been solicited by retired army officers.

Editor-in-chief of Guney magazine Mehmet Bakırs prison sentence is approbated by the High Court despite harsh criticism by human rights groups. AI, IHD, ÇGD, TİHV and Initiative for Association of 78s called for action against this legal scandal.

General Staffs secret criminal complaint results in a trial for Ismail Besikci on accounts of propulsion to violence and hatred. Known for his dissident opinions on the Kurdish issue Besikcis article appeared on Esmer magazine, December 2005 issue.

Journalist Sinan Kara had been taken under custody and sent to prison, while visiting Batman, for a pending sentence. Hell stay 146 days in prison, told Becerikli of IHD. Sinan Kara had faced numerous trials for his articles in his now-closed newspaper

The Supreme Court of Appeals overrules a ruling that acquitted three police officers of allegations of torture despite scientific evidence by forensic medicine. They walk free because of prescription but a journalist that followed the case got condemned.

Milliyet daily reporter Belma Akçura got condemned to imprisonment on allegations of defamation on her latest book that examines the relations between the Turkish gladio and the establishment. Imprisonment was enclosed to a fine.

Journalist Memik Horuz says recent improvements in maximum security F-type facilities hadnt come into effect. He was released from Bolu F-type facility as he fulfills his five year sentence for being a member of an illegal leftist organization.

Police department declares that personal protection is assigned to seven writers and journalists who receive threats. The enforcement comes following Turkish-Armenian writer Dinks assassination last Friday. Police was criticized for lack of protection.