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Turkish singer defiant in court | Turkish singer defiant in court |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A popular Turkish singer has defended public statements that Turkey's long conflict with Kurdish rebels needs a solution - not more deaths. | A popular Turkish singer has defended public statements that Turkey's long conflict with Kurdish rebels needs a solution - not more deaths. |
Bulent Ersoy made her comments at a court hearing in Istanbul, after being charged with attempting to turn the public against military service. | Bulent Ersoy made her comments at a court hearing in Istanbul, after being charged with attempting to turn the public against military service. |
The transsexual singer also suggested that if she had a son she would not send him to fight. | The transsexual singer also suggested that if she had a son she would not send him to fight. |
If found guilty, she faces up to four-and-a-half years in prison. | If found guilty, she faces up to four-and-a-half years in prison. |
Ms Ersoy made her comments about Turkey's powerful military on television last February. | Ms Ersoy made her comments about Turkey's powerful military on television last February. |
The Turkish army was conducting a major operation against the rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq at the time. | The Turkish army was conducting a major operation against the rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq at the time. |
Some 40,000 people have died since the conflict with the PKK began in 1984. | Some 40,000 people have died since the conflict with the PKK began in 1984. |
Defiant stance | Defiant stance |
Ms Ersoy arrived at court in her usual, flamboyant style - dressed in white flowing linen, golden gem-studded sandals and matching accessories, says the BBC's Sarah Rainsford, who was present at the trial. | Ms Ersoy arrived at court in her usual, flamboyant style - dressed in white flowing linen, golden gem-studded sandals and matching accessories, says the BBC's Sarah Rainsford, who was present at the trial. |
Even if they hang me, I'll keep talking Bulent Ersoy Diva puts military on defensive | |
As photographers surrounded her, a few supporters held up signs reading Long live the Diva, our correspondent says. | As photographers surrounded her, a few supporters held up signs reading Long live the Diva, our correspondent says. |
The prosecutor accuses Bulent Ersoy of making dangerous propaganda for the PKK, describing military service as the "sacred duty" of every Turk. | The prosecutor accuses Bulent Ersoy of making dangerous propaganda for the PKK, describing military service as the "sacred duty" of every Turk. |
But Ms Ersoy told the judge she had committed no crime. | But Ms Ersoy told the judge she had committed no crime. |
The singer said she stood by her words and her right to express her thoughts freely - as a loyal citizen of her country. | The singer said she stood by her words and her right to express her thoughts freely - as a loyal citizen of her country. |
"Even if they hang me, I'll keep talking," she said. | "Even if they hang me, I'll keep talking," she said. |
It was a defiant stance, but this case has exposed the limits on free speech in Turkey once again - a country whose military remains extremely powerful, its reputation and actions protected from criticism by law, our correspondent says. | It was a defiant stance, but this case has exposed the limits on free speech in Turkey once again - a country whose military remains extremely powerful, its reputation and actions protected from criticism by law, our correspondent says. |
Ms Ersoy did not show up in court when the trial opened in June, saying she had to attend a concert. | Ms Ersoy did not show up in court when the trial opened in June, saying she had to attend a concert. |
'Risky business' | 'Risky business' |
Ms Ersoy is Turkey's best known diva, adored across the country, our correspondent says. | Ms Ersoy is Turkey's best known diva, adored across the country, our correspondent says. |
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. |
Article 318 of the penal code - dissuading people from military service - is frequently used by the military against its 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. | Meanwhile critics say a separate article, making it a crime to insult the Turkish nation and its institutions, is used to stifle free speech. |
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