Solidarity with Şener Levent, 01-01-21
On December 23, 2020, the anti-occupation journalist Şener Levent was summoned to “court” in a procedure aiming at court proceedings in Turkey. The charges against him stem from three articles in his newspaper (initially called Avrupa, but after prosecution during Denktash’s time renamed Afrika and recently again as Avrupa).
- The Kurds and us, June 1, 2016
- Zorba the Cypriot, February 1, 2018, and
- the well-known case with the sketch, December 8, 2017 (the one for which, at Erdogan’s urging, an attempt was made by Turkish thugs and Gray Wolves to lynch Siener and other journalists. In the end, they did not succeed but destroyed the newspaper office)
Şener Levent defies the threats against him and the newspaper he he publishes and continues the struggle against occupation. With devotion to principles he boldly critisizes the conqueror whom he names, as the real culprit of the division and as the most audacious bully, criminal and rioter in the area.
As he says himself, he is defiant: he does not mince his words. He is bolder than any other journalist in Cyprus and never camouflages his thinking in an attempt to appease the occupier.
The charges pertain to insulting the President of Turkey and imprisonment for up to four years is envisaged. Apparently, Erdogan himself is pulling the strings behind the screen. Şener Levent was asked to testify as a witness. He declined to answer any questions set to him, denied the allegations and said he would not go to Turkey for trial.
Arising questions:
- Will they sentence him in absentia?
- Will they arrest him and send him to Turkey by force?
We note that Şener Levent is a citizen of the Republic of Cyprus. The fact that he lives in the occupied territories does not deprive him of his citizenship. He is also an award-winning European Citizen of the European Parliament. Therefore, we demand that the Government of the Republic of Cyprus makes immediately the necessary steps to protect its citizen and our compatriot Şener Levent; something they oufgt to have already on their own initiative.
The embassies of foreign countries in Cyprus must be informed about the attempted blatant violation of the right to freedom of speech and the attempt to silence this journalist. Also, our embassies abroad must provide relevant briefings/updates on how Islamo-fascist Turkey operates.
Additionally, complementary practical ways of protecting him should be considered in the event that Turkey, through its subordinates in the occupied north, attempts to transfer him to Turkey for trial there.
We applaud the common action taken by our MEPs, who all together are taking steps in support of Şener Levent in the European Parliament and in the European parties to which each one of them is attached to.
We welcome the announcement of support by the Bar Association as well as any other bodies, parties or organizations that have taken action in support. We expect that the rest of the political and social bodies will soon do the same.
We express our dissatisfaction to the Administrative Council of the Union of Editors in Cyprus (ΕΣΚ) for their loud silence. Here Turkey is trying to silence their colleague and they remain apathetic? if possible!!!
Finally, we call upon each of us citizens to join this effort.
As the anti-occupation movement “Cyclamen”, beginning Monday 4/1/2021, we will distribute a brochure in all cities.
For participation in the anti-occupation struggle or information:
tel. 99 568088 or 99601221, email: kyklamino.kyprou@gmail.com.
The photo is from the yard of the “courts” in the occupied areas before ορ after his acquittal in 2018. The anti-occupation movement “Cyclamen” stood by Şener Levent uninterruptedly, which we will do also in these difficult days.
Thank you for your attention and response.