This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7212452.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Academic sentenced over Ataturk Academic sentenced over Ataturk
(about 3 hours later)
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.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 said the trial highlighted the limits on free speech and academic debate in Turkey.Professor Attila Yayla said the trial highlighted the limits on free speech and academic debate in Turkey.
His crime was to suggest in academic discussion that the early Turkish republic was not as progressive as portrayed in official books.His crime was to suggest in academic discussion that the early Turkish republic was not as progressive as portrayed in official books.
His lawyers say they will lodge an immediate appeal.His lawyers say they will lodge an immediate appeal.
Professor Yayla told the BBC he was prepared to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights if necessary.
"I want to emphasise again and again that Turkey's most pressing problem is freedom of expression," he said.
The prosecutor had asked the judge to impose a five-year prison sentence.The prosecutor had asked the judge to impose a five-year prison sentence.
This trial has become a test of academic freedom in Turkey, which is pursuing a long-term ambition to become an EU member.This trial has become a test of academic freedom in Turkey, which is pursuing a long-term ambition to become an EU member.
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. Mr 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.
The professor was vilified by the Turkish press, suspended from work at an Ankara university, and brought to trial. The professor was vilified by parts of the Turkish press, suspended from work at an Ankara university, and brought to trial.
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. Mr 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.
'Insulting Turkishness''Insulting Turkishness'
The Turkish parliament is preparing to debate amending another law that restricts free speech.The Turkish parliament is preparing 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.
"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."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." "What is important is that Turkey should evolve into being a country where people are not punished because of their thoughts. And to achieve this we ought to make reforms in the whole legal system and also change the mentality in the judiciary. Otherwise Turkey will go on suffering."
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. The EU has been pressing for a change to Article 301 for well over a year, but the government has faced stiff opposition from nationalists, both within the ruling party and in the 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.