6 Press and Freedom Cases This Week

Journalist Perihan Magden is to appear at court on June 7 while cases against columnist Murat Belge , reporter Ismail Saymaz and sociologist Pinar Selek will be heard on June 8.

Jurist Hasip Kaplan, who was on trial last week, will stand before the court once again on June 8 while Peri Publishing House owner Ahmet Onal also tried last week will be at court again on June 9.

The Initiative Against Thought Crimes has described the cases as "an ongoing festival" and issued an appeal for as many people to attend the hearings as possible.

Magden's case on June 7

On trial for her article "Conscientious Objection Is A Human Right" that appeared in the "Yeni Aktuel" magazine, the case against journalist Perihan Magden will continue at Istanbul's 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance at 10:30 on June 7, Wednesday.

Magden is charged under article 118 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) for "discouraging the people from military service".

Belge to appear at court

A day after the Magden case is heard, "Radikal" newspaper writer Prof. Dr. Murat Belge will appear at court charged under article 288 of the TCK for his article titled "A Court Verdict".

Belge is accused of attempting to "influence justice" by criticising an administrative court decision that postponed a controversial conference in Istanbul related to Ottoman Armenians.

Belge will appear before the Istanbul Bagcılar 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance on June 8, Thursday at 10:30.

Selek held responsible for explosion

The same day Belge stands before judges, Pinar Selek who is known for her researches into children outcast from society and the Kurdish problem, will face charges holding her responsible for a bomb explosion at Istanbul's historic Spice Market.

Selek will appear before the 12th High Criminal Court at the Besiktas Justice Hall at 14:00 on June 8, Thursday, where she is charged under article 125 of the TCK and faces life time imprisonment if found guilty.

Kaplan on trial for TV remarks

Again on June 8, the Beyogu 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance will hear the case against jurist Hasip Kaplan who is on trial for remarks he made on private Flash TV's "Alternatif" program.

Charged under TCK article 216, Kaplan is accused of "inciting hatred and enmity" with his remarks and his hearing is listed to start at 10:00.

Saymaz faces "influencing justice" case

Another case that will be heard on June 8 is that against "Radikal" newspaper reporter Ismail Saymaz in relation to his news report titled "Torture allegation involving 11 year old child".

Saymaz, similar to Belge, is charged with influencing justice. The former chairman of the Contemporary Journalists Association (CGD) Istanbul Branch is listed to appear before the judge at 10:35, at the Bagcilar 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.

No end to cases against publisher Onal

Peri Publishing House owner Ahmet Onal who was sentenced on May 31 in relation to another book is to be tried on June 9 at the Fatih 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance on charges of insulting modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk by publishing the book "Being an Alawite in Dersim".

The book, authored by Munzur Cem and Huseyin Baysulun, is only one of 27 charges levelled against the publisher up till now.

The Turkish language ÇETELE web site gives updated information on all freedom of expression and opinion cases that have been opened in Turkey. (EO/KO/II/YE)