COURTS PRESSURE TRANSLATORS TOO
kurdishinfo.com, Germany
Dec 19 2006
Bianet-Publisher Zarakolu’s trial for "insulting the Republic" by
publishing books of two Armenian writers took a twist when the judge
postponed the case to include the translators. In two other incidents
translators were tried in freedom of expression cases.
Publisher Ragip Zarakolu’s case where he’s tried with 13.5 years
imprisonment for "insulting the republic, its institutions and Ataturk"
by publishing two books of Armenian writers, continued on December 14.
The judge postponed the case, ordering the translator of the books to
be brought to court. This is seen as another attempt to try translators
in freedom of expression cases.
Shafak and Tirman’s translators
Zarakolu stands trial because of publishing Prof. Dora Sakaryan’s
"The Memorials of an Armenian Doctor" and George Jerjian’s "Reality
Will Set Us Free".
Prosecution demands 7.5 years in prison for "insulting and ridiculing
the Republic and the State" of the first case and 6 years for
"insulting Turkishness and the armed forces" for the latter.
Translators Lutfi Taylan Tosun and Aysel Yildirim are being prosecuted
alongside Aram Publishing House owner Fatih Tas for the Turkish
language copy of John Tirman’s book "Spoils of War: The Human Cost
of America’s Arms Trade".
Writer Elif Shafak’s translator Asli Bicen was also tried when her
book "Father and Bastard" put onto court with the claim of "insulting
Turkishness".
Zarakolu’s cases will continue in March 15.
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