Roj TV Supporters Face Imprisonment

The trial which involves 56 municipality mayors who had sent a joint letter to the Danish prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, demanding a refusal to the Turkish government's efforts for the closure of pro-Kurdish satellite channel Roj TV continued.

54 of the defendants are members to the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) while two are members of the Social Democratic People's Party (SHP).

They are accused of "voluntarily aiding and assisting a terrorist organization" with reference to the articles 314/3 and 220/7 of the Turkish Penal Code.

If convicted, they face 7,5 years to 15 years in prison. On the other hand, public prosecution urged for the acquittal of three among them.

During the sitting, defense lawyers demanded further time for preparation. The court accepted the demand and delayed the trial to May 8 for the last statements.

Diyarbakır public prosecutor's office had launched an investigation into the incident on January 2, 2006.

It concluded that Roj TV broadcasts propaganda about the outlawed Kurdish guerilla group PKK.

Turkey has been long trying to interrupt Roj TV's broadcasts by pressuring European states in which the station bases its studios and transmitters.(EÖ/TK/EÜ)