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  • ANKARA: Endless Trials of Publisher Zarakolu

    BİA, Turkey
    April 20 2006

    Endless Trials of Publisher Zarakolu

    Belge Publications House owner Ragıp Zarakolu was once again at court
    this week, this time on trial for Prof. Dr. Sakayan's book "Accounts
    of an Armenian Doctor" and Jerjian's "The Truth Will Set Us Free".

    Publisher faces 13.5 years jail if found guilty f

    BIA News Center
    20/04/2006 Erol ONDEROGLU

    BİA (Istanbul) - In addition to a number of cases launched against him
    over the past years for his publishing activities, Belge Publications
    owner and journalist Ragıp Zarakolu now faces up to 13.5 years
    imprisonment if found guilty for printing and distributing the Turkish
    translations of two books related to Armenians in Turkey.

    Zarakolu appeared in court once again this week, this time on trial
    for the Turkish language publication of Prof. Dr. Dora Sakayan's book
    "Garabed Hacheryan's Izmir Journal: An Armenian Doctor's Experiences
    " and George Jerjian's " The Truth Will Set Us Free: Armenians and
    Turks Reconciled".

    The prosecution demands 7.5 years imprisonment for the Turkish
    translation book "The Truth Will Set Us Free" for which the court
    has assigned Korkmaz Alemdar and Cafer Yenidogan of the Galatasaray
    University and Prof. Dr. Emin Artuk of Marmara University as expert
    witnesses. They are to read and analyse the book for an expert report.

    "Garabed Hacheryan's Izmir Journal: An Armenian Doctor's Experiences"
    promises Zarakolu up to 6 years imprisonment if he found guilty of the
    charges but the court decided this week that statements taken were
    fulfilling and an additional expert witness report was not required
    for this publication.

    Zarakolu: Court should interview author Sakaryan

    Appearing before Istanbul's number 2 Court of First Instance on
    Wednesday and defended by attorney Osman Ergin, Zarakolu submitted
    a petition to the bench where he explained that author Sakaryan was
    a lecturer at the Mc Gill University in Canada and that his book put
    on trial in Turkey had been translated into nine different languages.

    Zarakolu said Sakaryan had been honours by the German Presidency for
    his eminent services in recognition to 50 years of his contributions
    to the German language.

    He said that Sakaryan was author of the most comprehensive work on
    the "Western Armenian" spoken in Turkey and requested the court to
    interview the author for his views.

    Judge Sevim Efendiler adjourned the case until June 21.

    Charges based on controversial articles

    Zarakolu faces 6 years imprisonment for the Turkish translation
    publication of Sakaryan's book on grounds that he violated the law
    by publishing context that "degraded Turkisism" and "insulted and
    ridiculed the Army".

    He faces 7.5 years imprisonment for Jerjian's book on charges of
    "insulting and ridiculing the State and Republic" as well as "Insulting
    the memory of Ataturk".

    The two consecutive hearings on Wednesday were held in the presence
    of International PEN representative Eugene Schoulgin, International
    Human Rights Federation (FİDH) deputy chairman Akın Birdal, Pencere
    publications executive Muzaffer Erdogdu, Aram publications editor
    Fatih Tas and author Oner Eyuboglu who attended the court in support
    of Zarakolu. (EO/II

    --Boundary_(ID_wZwUYUpNtOv7wB+vaOs2iw)--
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