Number of jailed journalists in Turkey steadily risesJanuary 31, 2012 - 14:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The number of imprisoned journalists in Turkey rose to 105, according to a written statement issued by the Platform of Solidarity with Imprisoned Journalists. Most lately, Aziz Tekin, the Kurdish-language newspaper Azadiya Welat’s eastern province of Mardin representative, was arrested in Kızıltepe, Mardin in an operation against the Kurdish Communities Union(KCK) alleged urban wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) on Jan. 28. “Turkey has the highest number of arrested journalists in the world. With this last detention, Turkey strengthened its position on the top of the list. The Justice and Development Party (AKP) is abusing the anti-terror law,” the platform said. The group also reminded Turkey’s step backwards in press freedom rankings losing 10 places to rank 148th out of 178 countries in the Reporters without Borders’ (RSF) World Press Freedom Index for 2011. Meanwhile, the release of 13 journalists including Ahmet Şık and Nedim Şener was denied by a court in Istanbul, despite both pleading against charges leveled in the OdaTV case on Jan 27. The case was postponed to March 12. Şık and Nedim flatly denied the charges leveled against them during the 10th hearing of the Oda TV probe, which began after law enforcement officials conducted a search of the offices of the online news portal in February last year as part of the ongoing Ergenekon investigation, Hurriyet Daily News reported.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity  The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization.Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia.Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |
