Journalist couple Selmi Yilmaz and Fakir Yılmaz sentenced to pay 5,800 USD in damages to Ardahan police chief for reports and articles blaming local police for failing to cope with growing prostitution.

Milli Gazete writer Mehmet Sevket Eygi is sentenced to 1 year imprisonment for inciting hatred and enmity in last years article No Effort or Patriotism Left. Term not to be deferred but appeal being made.

Court acquits Professor Dr. Ibrahim Kaboglu, the former head of the Human Rights Advisory Board of the Prime Ministry (BIHDK), and board member Professor Doctor Baskin Oran on hatred and enmity charges for proposing Turkey citizenry instead of Turk.

The campaign starts at noon as Parliament Justice Commission begins debating new Anti-Terror Bill. Activists using phone and mobile networks to lodge protests to Commission members and MPs. 5-minute protest over 11 provinces may mark major civil action.

Author Osman Tiftikci and publisher Sirri Ozturk charged with publicly degrading the army in book titled The Evolution of The Army from the Ottomans to Today. Case to be heard on June 20.

Press Council deputy chair Dogan Heper criticizes police inspectors for inviting Milliyet reporter Tolga Sardan to obtain information. Says inspectors should know their place and respect confidentiality of news sources.

Seven of 20 intellectuals who willingly violated the restrictive articles of Turkish Penal Code plead guilty before the public prosecutor. They testify that they admitting the results have undersigned a 31 point text to violate the articles.

Journalists Karakurt, Tatlıcan and Kılıc of daily Hurriyet face prison terms under article 6/2 of Anti-Terror Law (TMY) for an interview with PKK leaders in Northern Iraq. Interview was part of journalistic duty, the journalists defend themselves.

Prosecutor Karacal justifiying with procedural reasons drops his indictment against journalist Nese Duzel for the words of pro-Kurdish politician Orhan Doğan whom she had interviewed for daily Radikal. Yet the case against DTP official Dogan will continue

DEP MPs Alinak, Sakik and Turk win claims. ECHR rules in favor of claimants in 3 cases - sentences Turkey to pay 33,052 in compensation for complaints under freedom of expression. It also criticizes journalist Ergins trial by a Turkish military tribunal.

Journalist associations TGC, ÇGD and G9 warn government on new Anti Terror Law to be debated at Parliament Justice Commission on May 10. NGOs say law will restrict freedom of press, may revive anti-democratic regulations of post-coup era.

Cases under 301 threaten even ordinary citizens criticizing state practices. Three journalists in prison in Turkey. New Anti-Terror Law could send five more behind the bars. Turkey paid 88,000 USD to the European Court of Human Rights.

May Day 2006: Workers demand government abandon Social Security Law, Anti-Terror Bill and nuclear power plant projects. Observers say youth and women participation in Istanbul May Day rally high despite lower overall attendance.

Bagcilar prosecutors office appeals against court decision dropping charges for four prominent Turkish columnists for criticizing a decision to ban 2005 Istanbul conference on Ottoman Armenians. Murat Belge to be tried on June 8 under separate indictment

Belge Publications House owner Ragıp Zarakolu was once again at court this week, this time on trial for Prof. Dr. Sakayans book Accounts of an Armenian Doctor and Jerjians The Truth Will Set Us Free. Publisher faces 13.5 years jail if found guilty f

Adana court sentences Ejder Ozic to six months imprisonment under article 301 for radio broadcast that even court prosecutor and Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor regarded as criticism. Judge refuses to defer sentence or set bail, concludes broadcaster

Main opposition CHP MP Sukru Elekdag, a retired diplomat, seeks USD 15,000 in libel damages for alleged insult in the Turkish translation of British state document: The Treatment of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, 1915-1916 against the publishers.

Prof. Oran, Government has retreated in face of Turkish nationalism; Finkel, its no use if journalists have no courage; Lawyer Ilkiz, Public Morality cannot be entrusted to the Obscenity Commission; Lawyer Inanici: 301 designed to reinforce...

Ilyas Aktas who was shot in the head while covering the Diyarbakir incidents for a bimonthly and declared brain dead is still in critical condition in hospital. The gunfire was shot from among the police say witnesses.

Citing statue of limitation an Istanbul court dropped charges against four leading Turkish columnists tried for publicly criticizing court decision to halt an Istanbul conference on Armenian issue. But the case continues columnist Murat Belge.