Vakit Newspaper Sued by Transvestite Actress

The Bakırköy (Istanbul) Public Prosecutor opened a trial against the Vakit newspaper on the ground of a news item related to the play of Turkish transvestite theatre actress Esmeray on stage at the Kumbaracı50 venue.

Esmeray's lawyer Yasemin Öz reminded the fact that previous applications to court against the nation-wide daily had been dropped and thus she appreciated the decision to open the latest trial.

"I hope the trial will result in a sanction"

Öz said that they applied to press charges of "insult" and "inciting hatred and hostility against LGBT individuals" on the grounds of the article "A scandal play at a scandal venue" published on 20 July. However, the prosecution opened the trial under charges of "insult" only.

Öz emphasized that Vakit newspaper continuously and systematically published news that humiliated and insulted LGBT individuals and showed them as targets. "I think that the case should have been opened under charges of inciting the public to hatred and hostility instead of insult since this is an ongoing situation that has become systematic", the lawyer criticized.

"The news published by Vakit newspaper are humiliating and show people as targets which does not remain within the boundaries of democratic criticism. Obviously, this attitude is not going to change as long as they do not have to face any sanctions. So I hope that the news about Esmeray will result in a sanction", Öz indicated.

The first hearing of the trial will be held in March.

Criminal complaint filed twice

Vakit newspaper had previously published news allegedly insulting politician Zafer Üskül and showing him as a target. Üskül is a deputy of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and chairs the Parliamentary Human Rights Commission. He had participated in the Meeting against Homophobia organized by the Kaos Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Association (Kaos GL). The joint attorneys of the LGBT organization filed two criminal complaints against Vakit newspaper on the grounds of the latter news item.

The Ankara prosecution dropped the procedures, reasoning that Kaos GL did not hold the right to complain since the person on subject was Zafer Üskül. (BB/EÖ/VK)