Danish investigation on Roj Tv will soon draw to an end
Danish investigation on Roj Tv will soon draw to an end
The investigation conducted by the Danish prosecutors against Kurdish satellite television Roj TV is expected to reach an end soon. Since it was established on 1 March 2004 Roj TV has always been targeted by the Turkish state that put pressure on the Danish authorities who granted the Kurdish TV a license for broadcasting, however all the attempts from the Turkish government have failed. Furthermore, the Turkish state on one hand used kind of jam signals against Roj TV frequency in Turkey and North Kurdistan on the other tried to sign ‘deep treaties’ with European countries against the Kurdish TV.
Eventually, due to attempts from the AKP government, the Brussels studios of Roj TV were raided by the police in March which was denounced by the Kurds with demonstrations.
A Roj TV official Amed Dicle stated that so far Turkey has prepared 26 files against their TV and sent them to Danish authorities. Dicle further stated that they are not expecting a judgment to ban Roj TV however, Turkey has already made a treaty of 2,5 billion euro with other countries in return to ban Roj TV.
Dicle also stated that currently there is not an ongoing trail against their TV but some investigations which have been launched over the files sent by the Turkish authorities. He also said all the previous investigations which have dismissed due to lack of evidence indicated that Roj TV and PKK have not any connections. The ongoing investigation is expected to come to and end and dismissed by August.
Amed Dicle stated that since 1 March 2004, foundation of Roj TV Turkey has constantly targeted their television. He reminded when the Turkish PM Erdogan left the joint press conference with the Danish counterpart just because one of their correspondents was present in the room in order to cover the conference. Then Turkey tried to prevent Roj TV frequencies with jammers that is why Roj TV had to make a deal with another satellite. Even USA president of the time Bush wrote a letter to the Danish PM about Roj TV. And eventually on 16 February 2008, while the Turkish minister Cemil Cicek was in Brussels, Belgian authorities fined the Roj TV’s production company with 4 million and 250 thousand Euro to be paid in four days. There was no legal basis for such a fine which was eventually annulled by a court upon request from Roj TV. The reason for such a fine was came out the same day evening when then Turkish air strike on Zap region started. What the Turks wanted to mute Roj TV so that they could bomb Northern Iraq the way they wanted.
After Turkey’s attempts failed in Denmark they wanted to prevent Roj TV through Germany. German Ministry of Interior banned Roj TV on 19 June 2008 which pleased Turkey very much. And shortly after this ban on 22 July 2008 Turkish PM Erdogan together with the Turkish Minister of Defence Vecdi Gonul stated that German Howaldswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) GMBH and Marine Force International LLP companies will produce submarines in Turkey. The budget of this treaty was 2.5 billion Euros. This treaty was a result of the ban on Roj TV in Germany. Upon the objection from Roj TV the ban was abolished by a German court on 24 February 2010.
On 4 March 2010 Roj TV studios in Brussels were raided by the Belgian police in a way that Turkish police would have done. During the raid the equipments were destroyed which cost 200 thousand Euros damage. 300 hundreds police searched the building for 12 hours during which Roj TV lawyers were not allowed to be present. The authorities never responded the questions about what they found in the building. The aim was not searching the building was obviously to sabotage Roj TV’s broadcasting, said Amed Dicle. He also stated that there is currently no completed indictment against Roj TV in Belgium.
Amed Dicle of Roj TV also stated that USA is also collaborating with Turkey against their television. He also stated that he cannot understand why the USA ambassador in Ankara would talk about Roj TV at his final speech before he is assignment in Turkey was over. He says it shows that Turkey is literally bagging to all countries to work with them against Roj TV.
Amed Dicle also stated that one of their managers who went to South Kurdistan to interview some Kurdish guerrillas was blamed to be a PKK member. However, the interview was broadcasted on Roj TV and it was a manipulation by the Danish media against Roj TV. Dicle further stated that the said correspondent Zanoozi later peculated Roj TV’s money and they sued him and he was sentenced by a Danish court for embezzling 500 thousand Euros of Roj TV. However, Zanoozi later made some allegations against Roj TV which was used by the Danish media. Dicle says it was very amateur of the Danish journalist to take such allegations seriously because it is natural that a person involved in corruption and sentenced for peculation would make fake allegations against his former employers.
Amed Dicle reminded that Denmark is an exemplary country in terms of freedom of press. It refused to violate its own values because of the pressure coming from abroad. Although they are not expecting any favour from Danish authorities they demand to be dealt with like other press in the country. He further said that some politicians, namely social democrats, are using this issue in their rhetoric so that they can put pressure on the government for upcoming elections to be held in 2011. However, it is the judiciary’s approach that counts.
Dicle also stated that Turkey is disseminating false allegations against Roj TV. They claim that Roj TV is paid by the PKK therefore they are making propaganda for this organisation. However, Turkey failed to provide any concrete evidence to back up its allegations. Dicle says they cannot find evidence for something which does not exists. Dicle further said they have an objective broadcasting policy and they report not only the statements by the states but also from the PKK. It is also another mission of Roj TV to contribute the Kurdish language and culture and it is very clear from its cultural programs.
Regarding the allegations of inciting the violence Amed Dicle says Roj TV never glorifies the war. It is the Turkish media praising the war and the army whereas Roj TV is very objective while reporting the news on war and clashes. He also reminded the letter sent to the Danish PM by Kurdish mayors. It shows that Roj TV’s legitimacy is confirmed by elected Kurdish mayors in Turkey, added Dicle.
Amed Dicle says they are not connected to PKK but just being objective which disturbs the Turkish officials. He finally said that Roj TV will resort the legal remedies if they face any trials.
Eventually, due to attempts from the AKP government, the Brussels studios of Roj TV were raided by the police in March which was denounced by the Kurds with demonstrations.
A Roj TV official Amed Dicle stated that so far Turkey has prepared 26 files against their TV and sent them to Danish authorities. Dicle further stated that they are not expecting a judgment to ban Roj TV however, Turkey has already made a treaty of 2,5 billion euro with other countries in return to ban Roj TV.
Dicle also stated that currently there is not an ongoing trail against their TV but some investigations which have been launched over the files sent by the Turkish authorities. He also said all the previous investigations which have dismissed due to lack of evidence indicated that Roj TV and PKK have not any connections. The ongoing investigation is expected to come to and end and dismissed by August.
Amed Dicle stated that since 1 March 2004, foundation of Roj TV Turkey has constantly targeted their television. He reminded when the Turkish PM Erdogan left the joint press conference with the Danish counterpart just because one of their correspondents was present in the room in order to cover the conference. Then Turkey tried to prevent Roj TV frequencies with jammers that is why Roj TV had to make a deal with another satellite. Even USA president of the time Bush wrote a letter to the Danish PM about Roj TV. And eventually on 16 February 2008, while the Turkish minister Cemil Cicek was in Brussels, Belgian authorities fined the Roj TV’s production company with 4 million and 250 thousand Euro to be paid in four days. There was no legal basis for such a fine which was eventually annulled by a court upon request from Roj TV. The reason for such a fine was came out the same day evening when then Turkish air strike on Zap region started. What the Turks wanted to mute Roj TV so that they could bomb Northern Iraq the way they wanted.
After Turkey’s attempts failed in Denmark they wanted to prevent Roj TV through Germany. German Ministry of Interior banned Roj TV on 19 June 2008 which pleased Turkey very much. And shortly after this ban on 22 July 2008 Turkish PM Erdogan together with the Turkish Minister of Defence Vecdi Gonul stated that German Howaldswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) GMBH and Marine Force International LLP companies will produce submarines in Turkey. The budget of this treaty was 2.5 billion Euros. This treaty was a result of the ban on Roj TV in Germany. Upon the objection from Roj TV the ban was abolished by a German court on 24 February 2010.
On 4 March 2010 Roj TV studios in Brussels were raided by the Belgian police in a way that Turkish police would have done. During the raid the equipments were destroyed which cost 200 thousand Euros damage. 300 hundreds police searched the building for 12 hours during which Roj TV lawyers were not allowed to be present. The authorities never responded the questions about what they found in the building. The aim was not searching the building was obviously to sabotage Roj TV’s broadcasting, said Amed Dicle. He also stated that there is currently no completed indictment against Roj TV in Belgium.
Amed Dicle of Roj TV also stated that USA is also collaborating with Turkey against their television. He also stated that he cannot understand why the USA ambassador in Ankara would talk about Roj TV at his final speech before he is assignment in Turkey was over. He says it shows that Turkey is literally bagging to all countries to work with them against Roj TV.
Amed Dicle also stated that one of their managers who went to South Kurdistan to interview some Kurdish guerrillas was blamed to be a PKK member. However, the interview was broadcasted on Roj TV and it was a manipulation by the Danish media against Roj TV. Dicle further stated that the said correspondent Zanoozi later peculated Roj TV’s money and they sued him and he was sentenced by a Danish court for embezzling 500 thousand Euros of Roj TV. However, Zanoozi later made some allegations against Roj TV which was used by the Danish media. Dicle says it was very amateur of the Danish journalist to take such allegations seriously because it is natural that a person involved in corruption and sentenced for peculation would make fake allegations against his former employers.
Amed Dicle reminded that Denmark is an exemplary country in terms of freedom of press. It refused to violate its own values because of the pressure coming from abroad. Although they are not expecting any favour from Danish authorities they demand to be dealt with like other press in the country. He further said that some politicians, namely social democrats, are using this issue in their rhetoric so that they can put pressure on the government for upcoming elections to be held in 2011. However, it is the judiciary’s approach that counts.
Dicle also stated that Turkey is disseminating false allegations against Roj TV. They claim that Roj TV is paid by the PKK therefore they are making propaganda for this organisation. However, Turkey failed to provide any concrete evidence to back up its allegations. Dicle says they cannot find evidence for something which does not exists. Dicle further said they have an objective broadcasting policy and they report not only the statements by the states but also from the PKK. It is also another mission of Roj TV to contribute the Kurdish language and culture and it is very clear from its cultural programs.
Regarding the allegations of inciting the violence Amed Dicle says Roj TV never glorifies the war. It is the Turkish media praising the war and the army whereas Roj TV is very objective while reporting the news on war and clashes. He also reminded the letter sent to the Danish PM by Kurdish mayors. It shows that Roj TV’s legitimacy is confirmed by elected Kurdish mayors in Turkey, added Dicle.
Amed Dicle says they are not connected to PKK but just being objective which disturbs the Turkish officials. He finally said that Roj TV will resort the legal remedies if they face any trials.
