Turkish Ministry starts investigations into Kurdish mayors

Wednesday, 25 January 2006

Amsterdam (TheKurdistani.com) by Vladimir van Wilgenburg - Turkey's Interior Ministry started an investigation into the letter written by 56 Democratic Society Party (DTP) mayors to Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen asking him not to close Roj TV in Denmark. Recently another DTP official from Qars supported the Kurdish TV-station.

The two inspectors who were charged by the Interior Ministry, arrived in Kurdish city Amed on Sunday and launched an investigation into the letter written by 56 mayors including those of Amed (Diyarbakir), Elih(Batman), Mamekiye(Dersim), Sirnax (Sirnak) en Colemêrg (Hakkari).

Earlier Diyarbakir Prosecutor's Office had also launched an investigation about the letter.

On Wednesday the DTP Qars Provincial Chairman, Mahmut Alinak, in his written press statement, said that he wanted a referendum on Roj TV among the Kurds and showed his support for Roj TV.

The Turkish government would like the Kurdish TV station Roj-TV that transmits via satellite from Denmark to be closed. According to a complaint made by the Turkish embassy Roj TV excites hatred. But the Danish Radio and TV Board in April of 2005 concluded that Roj TV doesn't excise hatred.

Last year it has been reported that also the USA has presented wishes that Roj-TV be closed.

Until today the satellite TV-station is still broadcasting and the Danish premier Rasmussen said there would be an investigation. Because Denmark didn't close Roj TV, the Turkish press accused Denmark for "supporting terrorism".

Various Kurdish, Danish, international bodies and intellectuals condemned Turkey's campaign against Roj TV.

Source : www.thekurdistani.com/news/