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TURKISH PRESIDENT FINED FOR 'INSULTING' ARMENIA PEACE STATUE
Associated Press International
March 3, 2015 Tuesday 3:10 PM GMT
ANKARA, Turkey
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey's state-run news agency says a court has
ordered President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to pay 10,000 Turkish Lira (US$
4,000) in compensation to an artist for calling his sculpture - meant
to promote reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia - a "monstrosity."
Erdogan expressed his dislike in 2011 of Mehmet Aksoy's giant "Monument
to Humanity," which was being erected in the eastern city of Kars,
prompting local authorities there to dismantle it. Aksoy then sued
Erdogan for "insult."
Anadolu Agency said the court ordered Erdogan to compensate Aksoy
for the mental anguish caused.
Turkey and Armenia have no diplomatic ties and are at odds over the
mass killings of Armenians under Ottoman rule.
Next month, Armenians mark the 100th anniversary of the start of what
experts deem to be genocide.
Associated Press International
March 3, 2015 Tuesday 3:10 PM GMT
ANKARA, Turkey
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey's state-run news agency says a court has
ordered President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to pay 10,000 Turkish Lira (US$
4,000) in compensation to an artist for calling his sculpture - meant
to promote reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia - a "monstrosity."
Erdogan expressed his dislike in 2011 of Mehmet Aksoy's giant "Monument
to Humanity," which was being erected in the eastern city of Kars,
prompting local authorities there to dismantle it. Aksoy then sued
Erdogan for "insult."
Anadolu Agency said the court ordered Erdogan to compensate Aksoy
for the mental anguish caused.
Turkey and Armenia have no diplomatic ties and are at odds over the
mass killings of Armenians under Ottoman rule.
Next month, Armenians mark the 100th anniversary of the start of what
experts deem to be genocide.