Daily Taraf on Trial for Revealing Classified Info

Taraf daily responsible Adnan Demir is on trial on allegations of disclosing classified military material during publications where it was claimed that the army's neglect played a part in the Aktütün raid by PKK rebels, leaving 17 soldiers dead.

Istanbul public prosecutor Fikret Seçen acted upon a complaint by the General Staff and accused Demir of violating Article 329 of the Penal Code, which foresees five years imprisonment.

At the indictment, the prosecution claimed the newspaper published classified information in articles published on 14-18, 26 and 28 October 2008. The attack took place on the night of 3 October.

The prosecution noted that a military court placed a ban on the issue dated October 14 of the newspaper.

Demir and his lawyer Ergin Cinmen attended the first hearing of the case held yesterday. Demir claimed that Article 12 of the Press Law gave him the chance to not disclose the news source. "Publishing founded evidence which shows that the General Staff had been informed about this attack is the duty of the press. Press freedom is a human right. The military court's ban order is against the constitution. No information classified by law was disclosed at the reports."

Lawyer Cinmen demanded the court to ask the General Staff the number of attacks by PKK rebels to Aktütün station and if the station is still used or not. The judges declined those requests and postponed the case to 15 September.(TK/AGÜ)