KurdistanObserver.com

Police Storm Kurdish Institutions On Instructions Of Interior Ministry

Sep 6, 2005

Kurdistan National Congress (KNK)

This morning, 5 September 2005, more than 300 police officers stormed the premises of Ozgur Politika, MHA (Mesopotamian Press Agency) in Frankfurt am Main, musical publishers MIR in Dusseldorf, and the Mesopotamia Press in Cologne.

The raids took place as a result of legal proceedings to close these institutions. According to the Interior Ministry these proceedings are being brought for alleged support for a criminal association. During the police action journalists, writers and other employees were arrested, and computers and documents were seized. As a result, publication of Ozgur Politika will cease and the continuing work of the news agency, and the book and music publishers will be hindered.

Police also raided the homes of editors and contributors to the newspaper Ozgur Politica including Masallah Ozturk, Cemal Ucar, Abdulkadir Konuk, Selim Ferat and Can Kasapoglu.

MHA and Ozgur Politika have pursued their journalistic work for years under the rubric of German press law. They do factual coverage of world news, specialising in the Middle East and the political situation in Turkey. Amongst their output the book and music publishers publish books and music which have a critical engagement with the situation of the Kurdish population in the Middle East.

These events represent a huge attack on press freedom and freedom of expression. The Federal Prosecutor’s office is trying to prevent any form of critical expression of opinion on events in Turkey.

This policy of the German government is an attack on the voices of the Kurds in Europe and is a European counterpart to the repressive and undemocratic policy of the Turkish government towards progressive political forces in Turkey, directed towards military conflict instead of dialogue between the social forces and interest groups involved.

We appeal for solidarity from all progressive individuals and organisations in Europe and for them to act on our behalf as the voice of the Kurds.