Now confirmed: Soldiers Killed in May 2009 by Mine from the Army…

A gendarmerie laboratory confirmed that the mine that killed seven soldiers in South-East-Turkey in May 2009 belonged to the army. The prosecution file of the case launched by the victims’ families was transferred to the Prosecutor’s Office of the General Staff.

AYŞE KARABAT – Mine blasts in our hearts

Enver Aydemir, conscientious objector for religious reasons, has been treated as a “deserter” for about three years now. His lawyers stated a lack of authority of the military court. The court declined their request and sentenced Aydemir to ten months imprisonment.

Editor-in-chief of Turkish daily Azadiya Welat sentenced to three years in prison

The former editor of Turkey’s only Kurdish-language daily newspaper, Azadiya Welat, has been sentenced to three years in prison for allegedly aiding and glorifying a terrorist organization, according to the International Press Institute.

When Turkey‘s family affairs minister recently described homosexuality as a curable disease, she was roundly criticized for discrimination and flouting human rights.

In a single hearing, a 15-year-old child was sentenced to imprionment of more than six years. The conviction was based on police statements and a photo showing a child from behind. Lawyer Turgay Berk appealed to the decision.

Feisty Sabah columnist Nazlı Ilıcak was recently handed down a 15-month suspended sentence for criticizing a judge she described as a ?meddler.? Mrs. Ilıcak has been an outspoken critic of the state establishment for many years.

The European Court of Human Rights sentenced Turkey to a total fine of ? 400,000 in compensation. Six applicant sought justice for allegedly being tortured in police custody in 1997. The responsible police officers of the time had not been tried.