ISTANBUL - A recall order was issued against the comic book “Daima” for allegedly legitimizing the methods of an unnamed organization. “This situation is not practiced anywhere in the world” said Author Sena Şat.

 

A recall order was issued against Yeni Dönem Publishing's graphic novel “Daima”. The decision was based on the grounds that the book “legitimizes the organization's methods involving force, violence or threats”. Yeni Dönem Publishing Company participated in the 22nd Munzur Culture and Nature Festival organized by Dêrsim Municipality and the Federation of Dêrsim Associations (DEDEF) on July 25 and set up a booth. The police officers wanted to confiscate the comic book “Daima” by writer-illustrator Sena Şat. Those who looked at the booth pointed out that there was no recall order on the book and refused to allow the confiscation of the comic book. The police then photographed the book and took its International Standard Book Number (ISBN).  

 

THERE IS ORGANIZATION, BUT NO NAME!

 

The Tunceli Chief Public Prosecutor's Office submitted an opinion to the judgeship for the comic book to be confiscated upon the application of the police. The prosecutor requested the comic book to be confiscated due to the “Anti-Terror Law No. 3713”, claiming that the book “legitimizes the methods of the organization involving force, violence or threats”. However, the organization was not specified. 

 

On August 21, the Tunceli Criminal Judicature of Peace issued a decision to confiscate and seize the book based on the prosecutor's grounds. On September 5, the press office of the prosecutor's office notified Yeni Dönem Publishing verbally over the phone. A written notification of the decision was requested. The press office of the prosecutor's office then communicated the decision via the Whatsapp application. 

 

OBJECTION TO THE DECISION 

 

Yeni Dönem Publishing appealed the decision. In the appeal petition, it was stated that the decision was against the law. In the petition, it was pointed out that the publishing house was not duly notified of the decision and said, “The book was published within the framework of freedom of thought and expression.” The petition emphasized that the book has been on sale since 2019. 

 

  

 

ŞAT: NO JUSTIFICATION, NO WARNING!

 

Commenting on the judge's decision, Sena Şat, the author of the comic book, pointed to what happened on the day of the incident and said: “The police fought with our friends, saying, 'This book has a recall order. Our friends say that there is no such decision. Then the photos taken are reported to the police and they leave the scene.” 

 

Referring to what happened after the day of the incident, Şat said that the procedure was not followed even when the confiscation and seizure decision was communicated. Pointing out that the lawyers objected to the situation, “There is no justification in the decision, nor is there any warning or information about the content. Besides, this is just a comic book, an illustrated novel. This situation, which is not applied anywhere in the world, was applied to my comic book. They did the same thing to my first comic book 'Gezi Hali of the Uprising' with a similar unannounced decision. Because it was found in an art center, my comic book was called 'evidence' and a confiscation order was issued. The publishing house was never notified of the recall decision” she said.

 

BOOK SUBJECT

 

Şat stated that the book is about the massacre in prison on December 19, 2000, known as “Operation Return to Life”. Şat pointed out that she tried to explain the massacre in prison through 2 woman revolutionary prisoners. Şat stated that she was inspired by a book called “Daima”, which is a compilation of letters sent by prisoners to each other and letters received from outside, and the title of which is the title of the book she wrote. Describing December 19 as “a dark history of Turkey”, Şat noted that state officials described the events of that period as a “victory”. 

 

CALL FOR SENSITIVITY

 

Stating that artists are used to censorship and pressure, Şat continued as follows: “There is no other illustrator in the world whose 2 comics were banned and banned for the first time. That's why I have a strange feeling, frankly. Because comics have been used as a more flexible form as a method. It is really inconceivable that this is done in a very arbitrary way, without any reason or content. I hope that artists who hear my voice will also speak out against this. At the very least, I think we can discuss other ways of overcoming such pressures.” 

 

MA / Ömer İbrahimoğlu