Journalist Bogatekin was Acquitted

Haci Bogatekin, the owner of the "Gerger Firat" newspaper has been acquitted in absentia in a trial in which he was charged for "insulting the state and intelligence forces."

However, the journalist was handed a fine of 1,000 new Turkish liras (YTL- USD 750) in another trial based on the Press Law for "failing to inform the Republic Prosecutor about the type of his publication within 30 days."

Good and bad news for journalist Bogatekin

Journalist Bogatekin didn't attend the last hearing at a Gerger court last week saying he was undergoing treatment.

Prosecutor Ibrahim Usta asked the court to penalize Bogatekin based on article 301/2 of the Turkish Penal Code. Judge Mustafa Savas ruled that the elements of crime had not been established and acquitted the journalist.

The journalist was facing up to three years in prison for writing an article titled "Gang State" published on August 2004.

The journalist had asked the court to call 39 people, who had earlier claimed that the state has relationships with gangs, to serve as witnesses.

The court rejected Bogatekin's request saying it had nothing to do with the

"fundamentals of the trial."

You can tell it's a local newspaper from its nam e

Bogatekin was charged by the same court for not describing the type of his publication in a statement he sent to the prosecutor's office on July 26, 2004. He was handed a fine of 1,000 new Turkish liras for violating temporary article 1 of the Press Law no: 5187.

The journalist, in a previous hearing, had told the court that "Gerger Firat, as it can be understood from its name, is a local newspaper." "We gave the information on various occasions," Bogatekin had said. "I don't accept the accusations. I want my acquittal."

The newspaper, which was established in July 20, 1992 is published every 13 days and has 3,000 subscribers. (EO/EU/EA/YE)