The European Court of Human Rights found Turkey guilty of a violation of freedom of expression because of revoking the publishing licence of Nur Radio TV. RTÜK had annulled the license due to broadcasts supposedly opposing secularism and a pirate program.

The case against human rights defender Tahmaz and Birgün newspaper official Çeşmecioğlu has reached its final stage. The defendants stand trial for an interview with PKK executives. The final verdict of the Istanbul 10th High Criminal Court is expected for 2 December.

"The "Friends of Hrant" initiative announced the results of their attempt to obtain information from the state regarding the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Dink. Spokesman Kıvanç criticized the meaningless replies and said, "The government is ridiculing us".

Star newspaper employees Sarp, Akbıyık and Şahin are facing up to three years imprisonment each because of their criticism of the mass releases regarding the "Sledgehammer" investigation. The coming hearing is scheduled for 22 October.

The Izmir Şirinyer Military Court dismissed the request for the release of conscientious objector İnan Süver. Süver is said to have been sentenced to imprisonment of 35 months. The case was adjourned to 15 November.

"Everywhere in the world there are serious impediments to freedom of expression, and they often lead to severe punishment. We are very far from having reached the stage of a genuine democratic culture in which thought and expression are truly free. That remains a major task for the future, one with tremendous implications" said American philosopher Noam Chomsky.

At the 7th Istanbul Gathering for Freedom of Thought, political activist and philosopher Noam Chomsky stressed that political rights are not granted but won by a dedicated struggle. Turkey can be proud of defence of freedom of speech, "a record from which we can all learn", Chomsky said.

Mehmet Öztürk, owner of the Halk Posta newspaper from the Black Sea region, was attacked by unidentified individuals in front of his office. Şenol Azman, president of the local Journalists Association expects a clarification of the incident as soon as possible.

Ahmet Şık and Ertuğrul Mavioğlu, co-authors of two books about the Ergenekon investigation, were supported by human rights advocator Judith Chomsky and Çayan Demirel. Noam Chomsky missed the hearing on 8 October because his flight was delayed.

Renowned international experts like Richard Falk, Noam Chomsky and Hilal Elver attended the 7th Istanbul Gathering for Freedom of Thought on 9/10 October. Turkish journalists, publishers and artists gave an insight into the legal procedures launched against them because of their thoughts.

The prosecution demanded imprisonment of 20 years for Gurbet Çakar, editorial manager of the Kurdish-Turkish Renge Heviya Jine women magazine. She is charged with spreading propaganda for the PKK and "committing a crime on behalf of the organization".

The Swedish Authorities took the statement of former PKK member-turned JİTEM employee Abdülkadir Aygan upon the directive of the Diyarbakır Public Prosecution. Aygan announced to issue a statement about former leading politicians Demirel and Ciller soon.

This year's special prize of the International Publishers Association will be awarded to Turkish publisher İrfan Sancı who is currently facing imprisonment on charges of "obscenity". The Freedom to Publish Award goes to Russian journalist İsrapil Shovkhalova.

Güney magazine official Özer is facing imprisonment of up to 7.5 years for depicting memories of a PKK member and because of a caricature. After the first hearing on 7 October, the trial was postponed to 17 February 2011 for the prosecutor's final speech.

Once more, Turkey was sentenced by the European Court of Human Rights in a freedom of expression case. The state has to pay compensation to Erdal Ölmez and Ali Turgay, the owners of five Turkish magazines, because of unlawful restrictions of freedom of expression.

The appeal against the arrest of members of the two legal political groups SDP and TÖP was rejected. 13 members had been arrested on 25 September. The SDP distanced themselves from Necdet Kılıç and Hanife Avcı and allegations of a supposed "escape" of Mahir Sayın.

Taraf newspaper reporter Baransu was acquitted of charges of publishing "classified" documents regarding the raid on the Aktütün police station despite the prosecutor's plead for imprisonment. Baransu will now file a complaint against Generals Başbuğ and Iğsız.

A Diyarbakır court convicted 6 defendants of "organizational propaganda" on the grounds of their commemorating Ahmet Kaymaz and his son Uğur who were killed by the police. One of the convicts is Uğur's uncle.

The BDP provincial co-chair is among 8 people arrested in Urfa on 5 October. Lawyer Benek stated the arrests were based on insignificant wiretapped telephone conversations. BDP MP Bininci said his party is being "terrorized".

The Higher Education Council partly lifted the controversial headscarf ban at universities. According to a circular sent by the Council, students may no longer be expelled from class because of their attire. Disciplinary proceedings will be taken against lecturers who do otherwise.