BÝA, Turkey
April 20 2006
Endless Trials of Publisher Zarakolu
Belge Publications House owner Ragýp Zarakolu was once again at court
this week, this time on trial for Prof. Dr. Sakayan’s book “Accounts
of an Armenian Doctor” and Jerjian’s “The Truth Will Set Us Free”.
Publisher faces 13.5 years jail if found guilty f
BIA News Center
20/04/2006 Erol ONDEROGLU
BÝA (Istanbul) – In addition to a number of cases launched against him
over the past years for his publishing activities, Belge Publications
owner and journalist Ragýp Zarakolu now faces up to 13.5 years
imprisonment if found guilty for printing and distributing the Turkish
translations of two books related to Armenians in Turkey.
Zarakolu appeared in court once again this week, this time on trial
for the Turkish language publication of Prof. Dr. Dora Sakayan’s book
“Garabed Hacheryan’s Izmir Journal: An Armenian Doctor’s Experiences
” and George Jerjian’s ” The Truth Will Set Us Free: Armenians and
Turks Reconciled”.
The prosecution demands 7.5 years imprisonment for the Turkish
translation book “The Truth Will Set Us Free” for which the court
has assigned Korkmaz Alemdar and Cafer Yenidogan of the Galatasaray
University and Prof. Dr. Emin Artuk of Marmara University as expert
witnesses. They are to read and analyse the book for an expert report.
“Garabed Hacheryan’s Izmir Journal: An Armenian Doctor’s Experiences”
promises Zarakolu up to 6 years imprisonment if he found guilty of the
charges but the court decided this week that statements taken were
fulfilling and an additional expert witness report was not required
for this publication.
Zarakolu: Court should interview author Sakaryan
Appearing before Istanbul’s number 2 Court of First Instance on
Wednesday and defended by attorney Osman Ergin, Zarakolu submitted
a petition to the bench where he explained that author Sakaryan was
a lecturer at the Mc Gill University in Canada and that his book put
on trial in Turkey had been translated into nine different languages.
Zarakolu said Sakaryan had been honours by the German Presidency for
his eminent services in recognition to 50 years of his contributions
to the German language.
He said that Sakaryan was author of the most comprehensive work on
the “Western Armenian” spoken in Turkey and requested the court to
interview the author for his views.
Judge Sevim Efendiler adjourned the case until June 21.
Charges based on controversial articles
Zarakolu faces 6 years imprisonment for the Turkish translation
publication of Sakaryan’s book on grounds that he violated the law
by publishing context that “degraded Turkisism” and “insulted and
ridiculed the Army”.
He faces 7.5 years imprisonment for Jerjian’s book on charges of
“insulting and ridiculing the State and Republic” as well as “Insulting
the memory of Ataturk”.
The two consecutive hearings on Wednesday were held in the presence
of International PEN representative Eugene Schoulgin, International
Human Rights Federation (FÝDH) deputy chairman Akýn Birdal, Pencere
publications executive Muzaffer Erdogdu, Aram publications editor
Fatih Tas and author Oner Eyuboglu who attended the court in support
of Zarakolu. (EO/II
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