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Prof Guilty of Insulting Turkish Founder

Suspended sentence may mean trouble for country's bid to join EU

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 28, 2008 10:31 AM CST
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(Newser) – A Turkish court today handed a political science professor a 15-month suspended sentence for insulting the country's founder. Attila Yayla had suggested that Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was not as progressive as official portrayals indicate. The conviction heightens scrutiny of the country's commitment to freedom of expression as it pursues EU membership, reports the BBC.

Lawyers for Yayla, a prominent liberal, immediately said they will appeal. "I am ready for everything, whatever the result," Yayla said. Insulting Ataturk's memory is a crime under Turkish law, as is insulting "Turkishness." The latter law has been used repeatedly to prosecute writers and other intellectuals, including Nobel Prize-winner Orhan Pamuk.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, rear-center, and his ministers listen to President Shimon Peres of Israel addressing Turkey's Parliament in Ankara, in this Nov. 13, 2007 file photo. The Turkish parliament is preparing to take a fresh look at free-speech laws in anticipation of joining the EU. (AP Photo)
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, rear-center, and his ministers listen to President Shimon Peres of Israel addressing Turkey's Parliament in Ankara, in this Nov. 13, 2007 file photo. The Turkish...   (Associated Press)
Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, left, and Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, rear center, follow a Turkish guard of honour carrying his wreath during his visit to the mausoleum of modern Turkey's founder Kemal Ataturk in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008. A political science professor from Ankara was found guilty...
Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, left, and Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, rear center, follow a Turkish guard of honour carrying his wreath during his visit to the mausoleum of modern Turkey's...   (Associated Press)
With a portrait of modern Turkey's founder Kemal Ataturk flanked by national flags in the background, Turkish army's tanks roll during a ceremony on the Victory Day in Ankara, Turkey, in this Aug. 30, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici, File)
With a portrait of modern Turkey's founder Kemal Ataturk flanked by national flags in the background, Turkish army's tanks roll during a ceremony on the Victory Day in Ankara, Turkey, in this Aug. 30,...   (Associated Press)
The widely revered founder of the Turkish state, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is pictured in this archival photo. Professor Attila Yayla's criticism of Atatürk have brought Turkey's free-speech concerns to the forefront.
The widely revered founder of the Turkish state, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is pictured in this archival photo. Professor Attila Yayla's criticism of Atatürk have brought Turkey's free-speech concerns to...   (Public Domain)
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More on Turkish attitudes toward Ataturk
Reuters

Commentary: "If we silence these kinds of sound voices how can we be an open society?"
Turkish Daily News

The legal angle, with citations
Jurist

State-run news agency's homepage
Anatolian News Agency

Assassination plot foiled

Novelist Pamuk was target of nationalists
Al Jazeera

Turkey arrests 13 suspected in political killings
New York Times

 
Turkey • free speech • Kemal Ataturk • Orhan Pamuk

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