Journalist Pelek's Trial Adjourned until March 2011

Semra Pelek, former editor of Akşam newspaper, and Mustafa Dolu, the daily's editor-in-chief, appeared at court on 1 November in the scope of the case filed against them by retired General İbrahim Fırtına, former Air Forces Commander. Both journalists stand trial on the grounds of a news article about Fırtına's statement given to the prosecution in the context of the "Ergenekon Investigation".

Pelek is tried for editing the article entitled ""Questions to Fırtına from Aydın Doğan, Rahmi Koç and Akçakoca" published on 5 January 2010. The article was continued on page 16 of the same issue under the heading "I reject, I curse".

Pelek did not attend the hearing on 1 November and was represented by her lawyer Kısmet Tav Eroğlu.  The Bakırköy (Istanbul) 2^nd Criminal Court of First Instance postponed the case to 29 March 2011 when Pelek is going to present her defence. The hearing was attended by members of the Equality and Democracy Party (EDP) Istanbul and the EDP Women Assembly who expressed their support for the journalist.

Heavy prison sentence pending

Public Prosecutor Pircan Barut Emre prepared the indictment on 1 March. He demands prison sentences of up to eight years each for both journalists. The indictment is based on two articles of the Turkish Criminal Code (TCK), i.e. Article 285 on "Violation of communications" and Article 288 regarding an "attempt at affecting a fair judicial process".

Dolu submitted his defence in writing to the court at the beginning of the trial. He put forward that he was not responsible for the news item and pointed to page editor Pelek.

Ergenekon

The Ergenekon investigation is related to the case of the clandestine ultraational Ergenekon organisation, nested within the state and the military and said to have planned to overthrow the government and to create chaos in the country with murders and attacks. (EÖ/VK)