June 17, 2014 opened the third hearing of the trial against journalist Erol Özkoray for his book “The phenomenon Gezi”. The book published in July 2013 provides a socio-
political analysis of the protest movement “Occupy Gezi” brutally suppressed by security forces during the summer of 2013. Not less than 153 journalists were injured and 39 others arrested while covering the protests.
Erol Özkoray is accused of “insult” against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for a chapter identifying various slogans and graffiti drawn on the walls of Istanbul at the time of troubles. Under Article 125 of the Criminal Code, the journalist faces an aggravated one year to 32 months in prison for “insulting a representative of the State” sentence. The trial began March 20, 2014 before the Criminal Court of Istanbul.
“One year after the protests, the authorities continue to criminalize the movement Occupy Gezi ‘and its news coverage, laments Johann Bihr, office manager Eastern Europe and Central Asia Reporters Without Borders. By attacking a celebrity Erol Özkoray figure, they send a clear warning to all civil society. “
“It is unacceptable that a journalist facing jail for what he has done that report. We ask the dropping of charges and an immediate release of journalist. This case reiterates the urgency to overhaul the Turkish legislation, including decriminalizing libel and insult. “
The indictment signed by the prosecutor, Hasan Bölükbasi criticizes Erol Özkoray have quoted in his book slogans such as: “Do not be a donkey, listen to the people”, “You are disgraced resigns, “or even” Tayyip, it is not your fault if you have been born. “ Co-author of the book, Nurten Özkoray, is meanwhile not continue.