15 Journalists Convicted for Reporting on Ergenekon Investigation
The judiciary had been criticized for remaining insensitive in the context of "confidentiality violations" in investigations, mainly regarding the Ergenekon case. Thereupon the Ministry of Justice announced that 15 journalists have been convicted and 33 public officials are under investigation.
In the context of investigations as important as the Ergenekon case the Ministry of Justice announced that until the present day court cases have been opened against 15 journalists on the grounds of "violating the confidentiality of the investigation".
In the release made on 10 November the ministry declared that correspondingly, the procedures regarding 33 public officials are at the stage of "investigation".
Bakırköy Prosecutor's Office as the most "diligent" one
The ministry answered in writing to the criticism that the judiciary remained "insensitive" on the topic of "violating the secrecy of the investigation" regarding the Ergenekon investigation and other important files. The Justice Ministry gave information about the referring investigations being carried out in several district attorneys in Istanbul: 447 investigations in the Eyüp Prosecutor's Office, Bakırköy taking the lead with 2,455 investigations, 30 in Üsküdar, 183 in Kadıköy, 423 in the Beyoğlu district attorney and 522 investigations in the Istanbul Court House.
The ministry furthermore declared that since 31 July 2009 3,845 investigations have been launched in these district attorneys about journalists. 358 trials are pending and 15 cases resulted in convictions. In the end of the announcement it was also mentioned that 33 public officials are under investigation. (EÖ/VK)
Ankara - Istanbul - BİA News Center
13 November 2009, Friday