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Turkish singer tried over dissent Turkish singer tried over dissent
(9 minutes later)
One of Turkey's best known singers, Bulent Ersoy, is due to go on trial charged with attempting to turn the public against military service.One of Turkey's best known singers, Bulent Ersoy, is due to go on trial charged with attempting to turn the public against military service.
The charges were brought after she suggested it was not worth sacrificing soldiers' lives in Turkey's conflict with the Kurdish separatist PKK group.The charges were brought after she suggested it was not worth sacrificing soldiers' lives in Turkey's conflict with the Kurdish separatist PKK group.
The transsexual singer made her comments on television last February.The transsexual singer made her comments on television last February.
The army was conducting a major operation against the PKK in northern Iraq at the time.The army was conducting a major operation against the PKK in northern Iraq at the time.
Ms Ersoy has already said she will stand by her comments.Ms Ersoy has already said she will stand by her comments.
But she faces up to four-and-a-half years in prison if she is convicted.But she faces up to four-and-a-half years in prison if she is convicted.
Criticism riskyCriticism risky
Ms Ersoy is Turkey's best known diva, adored across the country, says the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul.Ms Ersoy is Turkey's best known diva, adored across the country, says the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul.
She was already one of the country's most popular male singers, when in 1981 she underwent a sex-change operation.She was already one of the country's most popular male singers, when in 1981 she underwent a sex-change operation.
But questioning the Turkish military can be a risky business, our correspondent says.But questioning the Turkish military can be a risky business, our correspondent says.
Turkey's penal code makes it a crime to insult the Turkish nation and its institutions, and is frequently used by the military against critics. Article 318 of the penal code - dissuading people from military service - is frequently used by the military against its critics.
Meanwhile critics say a separate article, making it a crime to insult the Turkish nation and its institutions, is used to stifle free speech.
Ms Ersoy's trial may well scare many others into silence, our correspondent says.Ms Ersoy's trial may well scare many others into silence, our correspondent says.