Local Newspaper Repels Compensation Claim

The Istanbul 3^rd Criminal Court of First Instance dismissed a TL 70,000 (€ 33,330) compensation claim with Günlük Evrensel ('Daily Universal') newspaper that had been filed for the newspaper's coverage of environmental damage caused by the Ovacık Mine in western Turkey.

In its issue from 8 February 2009, the daily had reported about environmental damage caused due to heavy rainfalls by the Ovacık Gold Mine run by the Koza Gold Company in Bergama close to the Aegean Coast. Environmental activists had also formed an initiative.

Thereupon, the TÜPRAG Company filed a criminal complaint on the grounds of "harming personal rights by unjust allegations".

At the end of the according investigation, a compensation case was filed against lawyer Arif Ali, former president of the Aegean Environment Platform (EGEÇEP), Bergama Environment Platform spokesman Erol Engin, Mining engineer Hasan Gökvardar and Evrensel journalist and reporter Özer Akdemir.

In a statement on Izmir Democratic Radio, lawyer Cangı said that the trial would provide a platform to assess the damage caused to people and the environment by the gold mine in Bergama.

Cangı argued, "From the beginning of the trial we said that it was unjust and opened to intimidate advocates of life. The court agreed with us".

The Koza Group owns the Bugün ('Today') newspaper and the Kanaltürk television channel. (EÖ/VK)