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Turkish court hears 'insult' case Academic sentenced over Ataturk
(about 11 hours later)
The trial of a Turkish professor on charges of insulting the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, is set to resume. A Turkish court has handed down a 15-month suspended jail term to an academic found guilty of insulting the state's founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
Professor Attila Yayla was brought to trial after a panel discussion in which he suggested the early Turkish Republic was not as progressive as it's painted. Professor Attila Yayla said the trial highlighted the limits on free speech and academic debate in Turkey.
The prosecutor has asked the judge to impose a five-year prison sentence. His crime was to suggest in academic discussion that the early Turkish republic was not as progressive as portrayed in official books.
The trial has once again highlighted the limits on free speech in Turkey - a key concern of the European Union. His lawyers say they will lodge an immediate appeal.
Turkey is pursuing a long-term ambition to become an EU member. The prosecutor had asked the judge to impose a five-year prison sentence.
This trial has also become a test of academic freedom in Turkey. This trial has become a test of academic freedom in Turkey, which is pursuing a long-term ambition to become an EU member.
Pictures and statues Professor Yayla had also warned that, as Turkey moved closer to Europe, Europeans would inevitably question why Turks displayed so many pictures and statues of Ataturk.
Professor Yayla was charged with "insulting Ataturk" - the revered founder of modern Turkey - after he argued that the early years of the Turkish Republic were not progressive, politically. The professor was vilified by the Turkish press, suspended from work at an Ankara university, and brought to trial.
He also warned that, as Turkey moved closer to Europe, Europeans would inevitably question why Turks display so many pictures and statues of Ataturk. Professor Yayla, a well-known liberal, denied the charge of insulting Ataturk and argued that academics must be guaranteed freedom of expression to pursue their research.
The professor was vilified by the Turkish press, suspended from work at an Ankara university - and brought to trial. 'Insulting Turkishness'
Professor Yayla, a well known liberal, denies the charge of insult and argues that academics must be guaranteed freedom of expression, to pursue their research. The Turkish parliament is preparing to debate amending another law that restricts free speech.
EU pressure
This hearing comes as the Turkish parliament prepares to debate amending another law that restricts free speech.
Article 301 on "insulting Turkishness" has been used to prosecute dozens of writers and intellectuals, including Nobel prize winner Orhan Pamuk.Article 301 on "insulting Turkishness" has been used to prosecute dozens of writers and intellectuals, including Nobel prize winner Orhan Pamuk.
The EU has been pressing for change to the law for well over a year but the government has faced stiff opposition from nationalists both within the ruling party, and in opposition. "Many foreign observers concentrate on Article 301, but there are other laws and articles in different laws, which have the potential to restrict freedom of expression, as it is in my case," Mr Yayla told the BBC.
"I am ready for everything, whatever the result, I will keep up my work - that means that I will try to improve freedom of expression in Turkey."
The EU has been pressing for a change to the law for well over a year, but the government has faced stiff opposition from nationalists, both within the ruling party and in opposition.
But changes to the law which protects Ataturk are not up for discussion.But changes to the law which protects Ataturk are not up for discussion.