Brodhead Makes Appeal for Duke Student Imprisoned in Armenia

Armenian president asked to intervene in case

Duke University (Durham, North Carolina)
News & Communications
Wednesday, August 3, 2005

Note to Editors: The following letter was written by Duke President
Richard H. Brodhead to the Armenian president expressing concern over
the arrest and detention of Duke student Yektan Turkyilmaz.

August 1, 2005

His Excellency Robert Kocharian
President
Republic of Armenia
Yerevan

Dear Mr. President:

I write as president of Duke University to seek your personal
intervention in the situation involving Yektan Turkyilmaz, a
Ph.D. candidate in Cultural Anthropology and a fellow of the John Hope
Franklin Institute at my university. Mr. Turkyilmaz was arrested on
June 17 by Armenian officials as he was leaving Yerevan Airport and has
been held under high security since then without formal charges being
filed. Mr. Turkyilmaz was arrested on a customs violation charge under
Article 215, paragraph 2 of the Armenian Criminal Code, for attempting
to take a number of books out of the country without receiving the
required permissions. There is ample evidence that Mr. Turkyilmaz was
unaware of the requirement to seek such permissions, and now faces
a potential prison sentence of 4-8 years if convicted at trial.

Mr. Turkyilmaz is a scholar of extraordinary promise. He is one
of a handful of Turkish scholars who have critically addressed the
events of 1915 and is the first Turkish scholar to be granted access
to your nation~Rs Historical Archive. His exceptional command of many
languages is, I am told, unique among scholars of this period and gives
him an equally unique opportunity, therefore, to help illuminate this
critical historical period.

It is my understanding that this is the first time this particular
article in the Armenian Criminal Code – which focuses principally
on issues associated with terrorism – has been applied to a person
carrying books. Mr. Turkyilmaz has said he was unaware of this
provision in the customs laws and would have sought appropriate
permission had he been aware of it. Since June 17, Mr. Turkyilmaz has
had only limited access to the outside world – only his lawyer and
one other scholar have been able to see him – and he has not been
permitted to use the telephone or to write or receive letters.

As the leader of a great country, you have the ability to intervene in
this matter and to determine the appropriateness of the actions of your
government and the Armenian prosecutors and police. You also have the
ability to release Mr. Turkyilmaz. With respect, I urge you to do so.

Sincerely,

Richard H. Brodhead
President,
Duke University

For more information, contact:
John F. Burness, Office of the Senior Vice President
for Public Affairs and Government Relations |
919-681-3788 | john.burness@duke.edu