Turkish Writer On Trial For Insulting Ataturk
October 05, 2006
Nationalist demonstrators at the trial of another Turkish writer accused of insulting 'Turkishness' (epa)
Ipek Calislar is accused of insulting the republic's founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, in her biography of Ataturk's wife Latife Hanim.
Last month, an Istanbul court dismissed a similar case against novelist Elif Shafak for comments made by her fictional characters.
On October 3, European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn criticized those opposed to repealing Article 301, saying they are effectively blocking Turkey's bid for EU membership.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged to consider amending the article.
(Reuters)