A Fourth Case Against Anti-War Reporter

The journalist who pleaded to be excused from court on the three previous cases due to change of judges, gave a statement to Republic Prosecutor Nihat Erdem in relation to the fourth case that was launched after a complaint from the military.

Ozbaris had published a news report related to a statement by conscientious objector Halil Savda in an April 9 dated article titled "Do not go for military service" where she claimed that reaction to the killings in Southeast Turkey had also effected those who individually refused to serve in the army.

She quoted Savda calling on youth not to serve in the military and saying, "we must intervene in this painful, in this bloody situation and say stop. I have done this as an individual. Now I ask this from everyone; Listen to the sound of peace, extend your hand to it".

Savda was quoted saying, in Osbaris's report, "Let us say stop to this. Until the human resources of war are dried up, lasting peace cannot exist. We can start from ourselves".

"Serving Peace"

In her statement to the prosecution this week, the journalist said she had made a news report out of Savda's views that he had made public and prepared the report under the scope of freedom of expression.

She also argued that another investigation in relation to the same report was being conducted at the Beyoglu prosecutor's office.

Ozbaris faced 9 years imprisonment on three separate court cases relating to her May 15, 2005 series "Neither military service, nor war" and "If Turkey plays its role" article; her September 24, 2005 "Anti-war meeting" news report and her October 19, 2005 "Objectors have a message to EU" interview as well as "Conscientious objectors want compulsory military service debated in EU accession talks"..

With the new case against her she will be tried under Penal Code article 318 and faces 12 years imprisonment if found guilty of the charges.

Article 318 rules six months to two years imprisonment for those who encourage or suggest in a way that will discourage the people from military service and increasing the sentence by half if the offence is committed through the press. (EO/AD/II/YE)