Article 301 Now Sentencing Unionists!

A Tunceli court has sentenced Hanefi Bekmezci, the head of the Tunceli branch of the Union of Education and Science Workers (Egitim-Sen), to six months in prison for "publicly insulting the military forces." Bekmezci had made a statement about the murdered taxi-driver Hasan Akdag and the developments that followed.

The court first reduced Bekmezci's prison sentence to five months due to good conduct, then commuted it to a fine of 3,000 new Turkish liras (USD 2,300).

Same sentence to Ser from ESM Union

Bekmezci told bianet he would appeal the decision through his lawyer Baris Yildirim. He added he would take the case to the European Court of Human Rights if necessary.

Two weeks ago, the same court had sentenced Huseyin Ser, the manager of the headquarters of Energy, Industry and Mine Workers Union (ESM) to six months in prison.

Ser had received the prison sentence for reading the press statement, prepared by the Labor and Democracy Platform, on the postponement of the 6th Munzur Culture and Nature Festival. His prison sentence had also been commuted to a fine of 3,000 new Turkish liras.

Second case against Bekmezci

A new case has been opened against Bekmezci for "publicly insulting the state" by reading a joint press statements about exile of 12 public workers from Tunceli. He will stand trial on February 28. (EO/EA/YE)