301 Charge Haunts Sorun Publications

The two are charged with 'publicly degrading the army' under article 301/2 of the Penal Code in a book titled "The Evolution of The Army from the Ottomans to Today".

The two defendants will appear at the Istanbul 2nd Court of First Instance on June 20 for their first trial based on an indictment prepared by Republic Prosecutor Nurten Alinok.

Alinok's indictment was completed after Sirri Ozturk's statement was taken by the prosecution on March 2, 2006.

In his statement, Ozturk said Osman Tiftikci who left the ranks of the armed forces during the March 12, 1971 coup period, had in-depth knowledge of the military due to his background. He said the book was based on extensive research and that prior to its publication, the publishing house had it examined by jurists to ensure there were no violations of law. "In the examination" said Ozturk, "it was decided that the research book contained no element of offence".

Over 40 being prosecuted

Since June 1, 2005, more than 40 journalists, authors, activists, academics and unionists in Turkey have been prosecuted under controversial article 301 or because it has been deemed 'in the interest of the defendant' under article 159 of the old Penal Code.

Journalists Sabri Ejder Öziç, Emin Karaca, Burak Bekdil, Aziz Özer, Erkan Akay, human rights activist Eren Keskin, author Zülküf Kışanak and unionists Hanefi Bekmezci and Hüseyin Ser were sentenced in these cases. (EO/KO/II/YE)