Daily Birgün Reader Harassed And Threatened By Police

Greens Party co-spokesperson demanded those who harassed and threatened daily Birgün reader Tutku Türol are suspended immediately.

İstanbul - BİA News Center
09 September 2008, Tuesday

Tutku Türkol was apprehended by Kadıköy/İstanbul police on September 5 for having a copy of the Birgün newspaper with her.

The victim claimed that the police had taken her Birgün and ripped it to pieces, while asking her why she was reading it and from where she way buying it. Following this, she was apprehended and kept in the station for a while, being verbally and physically harassed in the process.

Eighteen-year Türkol was kept in the station for forty minutes and threatened. She says she will go after them.

Contepe: Those responsible for this outrage should be suspended

Co-Spokesperson of the Greens Party Bilge Contepe said in the announcement he made, “These police officers who committed this crime should be suspended, but this is not it. All the police officers who are responsible for this outrage, from the superior of the Moda Station to the chief of Istanbul Police, should be suspended until the investigation is over.”

Reminding that a young women was abducted by the police for having a perfectly legal newspaper, taken to a police station, harassed, threatened and subjected to violence, Contepe asks what period this is and where we are living.

“This is the same mentality that does not punish the torturers; the same mentality that violates the democratic rights of those at the May Day meetings, at anti nuclear demonstrations in Sinop; the same mentality that ignores the violence and harassment against the women.” (EÖ/EÜ)

Independent Communication NetworkIndependent Communication Network comprises more than internet news website bianet.org. It is a continuously unfolding network since 1997 and embraces "Training Drives" for journalists and communication students and NGOs; handbook series, "Radio Programs" for the local media, conferences, forums, international exchange programs.

IPS Communication Foundation (BİA)IPS Communication Foundation is the implementing body for the BIA &bianet.org. Founded in 1993 by four journalists and one human rights activists, has implemented many projects including a BİA, BİA2 and BİA3.

BİA LibraryBİA Library comprises of handbooks series and guides and researches which systemize the theoretical and informative contributions realized during the implementation of programs within the BİA projects. Some of the 15 publications are in English and accessible via bianet.org.

Contact usYou can reach IPS Communication Foundation directors, BİA project coordination, bianet.org editorial board via telephone, fax, e-mail and mail from everywhere on the globe, dispatch information and/or documents and request meetings.