Danish court refuses to close down PKK-linked television

A Danish court ruled on Tuesday against banning a television channel that Turkey says is linked with the terrorist PKK. But in a nod to Turkish accusations, the City Court of Copenhagen fined Roj TV 400,000 Euros because it was financed by the PKK and disseminates PKK propaganda, the Anatolia news agency reported. Prosecutors Anders Risager and Jakob Buch-Jepsen, who announced their final opinion during the 28th hearing of the trial on Dec. 7, said the TV station is the voice of the terrorist PKK and have requested a Danish court to ban the channel from broadcasting. They submitted evidence of orders from PKK executives to Roj TV and photographs of Roj TV employees taken in the PKK's bases in the Kandil Mountains in northern Iraq. Buch-Jepsen said during the hearing that the evidence they put forward clearly proves that Roj TV is completely under the control of the PKK, both administratively and financially. Turkey's ambassador to Denmark welcomed the verdict but said it was now up to the country's broadcasting board to ban it. The TV station's attorney said he would advise his client to appeal the decision. The court said that between February 2008 and September 2010 the TV channel had "one-sidedly and uncritically disseminated (PKK) messages, including incitement to revolt and to join the organization". The PKK, which has fought an armed struggle for nearly 30 years, rejects the "terrorist" label and says it is fighting for Kurdish rights and independence. The decision sparked celebrations among scores of flag-waving Kurds outside the Copenhagen courthouse and sharp protests from Turkey, which says Roj TV is a mouthpiece for the PKK and has urged Denmark to shut it down. In Turkey, Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek questioned whether Roj TV was broadcasting within the limits of freedom of expression. "It is supporting the terrorist organization, it is encouraging the terrorist organization," he said. Prosecutor Anders Riisager said he would have to study the 175-page verdict before deciding whether to appeal. Egemen Bagis, Turkey's EU minister, harshly criticized Danish court's what he said "decision that serves to terror and the terrorist organization." He termed the decision as "irresponsibility" and said this decision encouraged the terrorist organization and enabled racist mentality. Turkish Foreign Ministry partially hailed the decision and said it is important that the decision unveiled links between the terrorist organization and a PKK-funded media organization. A Foreign Ministry statement released on Tuesday said this decision will be precedent in international stage in fight against terrorism. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters on Tuesday that it is significant that the Danish court reveals links between the PKK and the PKK-linked TV station, adding that the fine on the TV station is a clear indication that the court accepts the media organization is making propaganda of the terrorist organization.