The court also punished the journal’s editor in chief Merve Erol with a fine of 16 thousand Turkish Liras (€ 8500) for the article, published on 15 October 2009.
Anti-terror law, propaganda
The sentences were handed down under article 7 of the anti-terror law — “propaganda on behalf of the terrorist organization.” The decision was based on the words of a PKK member and a one sentence quotation from the Özgür Halk (Free People) magazine.
The court first sentenced Aktan to the minimum 1 year, later increasing it to 18 months as the action was press related. In the end, the sentence was set at 15 months, based on “good conduct”.
The journalists defended themselves by saying that the piece was written at a time when the “Kurdish Opening” was being discussed.
They maintained that the sentiment that the violence was completely over could be misleading, that there is a segment within the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) that does not want to lay down their arms, and that the public had a right to know this.
Only hope – Court of Appeals
Aktan’s attorney Tora Pekin has said he will appeal the court’s conviction decision. If the Court of Appeals approves the sentence, İrfan Aktan will serve a prison sentence. If the decision is overruled by the Court of Appeals, the lower court will have to re-evaluate the case. Defendants Aktan and Erol objected to the court’s ruling on 7 June 2010.
Twenty-nine year old Aktan has worked for Turkish newspapers and magazines for 10 years. He has written two books, entitled; “Naze: A
story of Migration” and “Poison and Antidote”. He currently works for the bimonthly magazines Express and Yeni Aktuel. Aktan also contributes to Newsweek’s Turkey edition.
Not the only case
It is not the only case in Turkey when the Anti Terror law is used for censorship. Publisher Ragip Zarakolu and author Mehmet Güler, were on trial in Turkey since May 2009 till 10 May 2010 and faced prison sentences of up to seven and half years for Güler’s novel “More Difficult Decisions than Death”. In his book three fictional characters, “Siti”, “Sabri” and “Siyar” are engaged with PKK activities.
While Zarakolu was acquitted last week, Güler was convicted and sentenced to a prison sentence of 1 year and 3 months.
Both were accused under article 7/2 of the Anti Terror Law of “spreading propaganda” for the banned Kurdish Workers Party (PKK).
HRH London, based on Index on Censorship information. See the original article here.
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