Journalist Kara Faces More Trials

Sinan Kara, former owner of the local "Datca News" newspaper, and former reporter for Dogan News Agency, is standing two more trials, in which he is charged with, "disturbing the local administrator," and "swearing through media."

Kara faces up to three months and 15 days in prison. He was arrested in December 2002 for not sending two copies of the newspaper to the local administrator. He was freed in February 2003.

15 days in prison

On August 22, 2003, Kara filmed Datca's local governor while he was swimming. He was detained with governor's order and his cassette was seized.

Kara now stands trial and faces up to 15 days in prison. The hearing will be held in October 28, 2003 in a Datca court. No charges would have been pressed against Kara if he had paid a fine of 86 million 696 thousand Turkish lira (USD 63).

During the time he was in prison, Kara wrote a book about the things he went through. The book is called, "Sinan's Black Book." Kara is also being sued for "swearing to the local governor," through his book. In this trial, he faces up to three months in prison. The hearing will be held in October 14, 2003 in a local Datca court.

Kara has stood up to 30 trials and has 13 cases pending at the appeals court. He said he has gotten used to standing trials. (EO/BB/EA/NM)