Journalist Mavioğlu in the Dock again

A trial was opened against Radikal newspaper reporter Ertuğrul Mavioğlu as the result of the complaint of a person filed to the Istanbul Chief Prosecution. Mavioğlu stands accused of "spreading propaganda for an illegal organization" on the grounds of his interview with Murat Karayılan, leader of the armed outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), on the Qandil Mountain, the location of the PKK's base in Northern Iraq.

Jouranlist Mavioğlu evaluated this latest development in an interview with bianet as follows:

"We have come to a point where they open trials against us for whatever we write. This becomes clear when a court case is even launched because of this news item, regardless of what [Prime Minister] Tayyip Erdoğan said about the freedom of expression report [of the European Parliament]. Even articles that contain nothing but news are being targeted by the government".

Mavioğlu is facing five years in prison for the interview that was published in Radikal newspaper in three separate sections between 28 and 30 October 2010.

"The interview condemns violence against civilians"

Mavioğlu highlighted that despite allegations of "praising violence", this was the first interview that actually condemned violence against civilians and included self-criticism regarding the deaths of civilians experienced by the organization.

Mavioğlu emphasized that many trials were launched because of "violations of secrecy" and similar reasons on the grounds of news items and interviews based on easily accessible sources that dare to tackle topics such as the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink or the Ergenekon case.

"The Radikal newspaper is facing trials from almost everybody. Wherever we put our hands on we are facing prosecution", Mavioğlu said.

"We will not fall silent despite arrests"

"We are requested not to write, not to talk and not to think. Even though our colleagues Ahmet Şık and Nedim Şener were arrested and despite efforts to put even more people behind bars, we will continue to write and talk", he claimed.

"This is our profession. It is our work to write and make news. Just as a baker makes bread journalists make news".

Facing up to five years in prison

As a result of a complaint about the according interview filed to the Istanbul Chief Prosecution, Special Authority Prosecutor Hakan Karaali demanded a five-year prison sentence for Mavioğlu and his deprivation of his right to vote and to benefit from public services.

Prosecutor Karaali assessed PKK leader Karayılan's statements as "propaganda for an illegal organization".

Karayılan had said in the interview, "From now on, we will not carry out any actions directed as civilians".

Journalist Mavioğlu will be tried before the Istanbul 11^th High Criminal Court.

Interviewers of Karayılan on trial

Human Rights defender Hakan Tahmaz is facing prison terms of up to three years on the grounds of his interview with PKK executives on Qandil Mountain for Birgün newspaper. At the same trial, Birgün newspaper official İbrahim Çeşmecioğlu is being prosecuted for publishing the interview.

Both defendants stand accused of "publishing statements of PKK/KONGRAGEL" according to article 6/2 of the Anti-Terror Act (TMY). Reason for the prosecution is the interview entitled "Unilateral Ceasefire Amplifies the Problem" published on 9 August 2008. The next hearing is set for 24 March before the Istanbul 10th High Criminal Court. (EÇ/VK)