The Kadıköy Public Prosecutor opened a case against journalists Ertuğrul Mavioğlu and Ahmet Şık on the grounds of the two volumes entitled "Understanding the counter guerrilla and Ergenekon" and "Who is who in Ergenekon" published by Ithaki Publishing.

The indictment puts forward that co-authors Mavioğlu and Şık violated the publication ban imposed on the books on 30 July 2008 by the Istanbul 13^th High Criminal Court.

First hearing on 8 September

The Kadıköy (Istanbul) Public Chief Prosecution launched an investigation on the grounds of "violating the secrecy of an investigation" on 14 April this year, the very day the books were published.

The Kadıköy Public Chief Prosecutor, Dursun Yılmaz, took the statements of both journalist in the end of May. Subsequently, he issued the indictment based on article 285 of the Turkish Criminal Code (Violation of Communication) on 1 June. Thus, the prosecution of Mavioğlu and Şık will start at the Kadıköy 2^nd Criminal Court of First Instance on 8 September.

Quick reading...

Both books comprise 1128 pages. The prosecutor initiated the investigation into the first volume in his own initiative, whereas the investigation into the second volume was carried out upon a complaint filed by the Police Directory.

Mavioğlu had previously told bianet that the books are most of all guide books to understand the Ergenekon Investigation and the trial process. According to the journalist, the books are meant to do away with the confusion about the matter.

Ahmet Şık argued that he felt the need of writing such a book because of incorrect news conveyed by the media regarding the Ergenekon process. (EÖ/VK)

Ergenekon

The clandestine ultra-national Ergenekon organisation, nested within the state and the military, is said to have planned to overthrow the government and to create chaos in the country with murders and attacks.