Writer Pamuk Awaits Trial In December

Turkey's renowned novelist Orhan Pamuk will be brought before an Istanbul court on December 16 after an interview he gave to a Swiss journalist about the "Armenian deportation" was translated into Turkish and published in the "Aktuel" magazine.

The Sisli Republic Prosecutor's Office brought a case against Pamuk, although the Istanbul Republic Prosecutor's Office didn't see a reason for a legal case and decided against filing charges. The Sisli district prosecutor previously also filed the same charges against journalist Hrant Dink.

Pamuk will be charged with "publicly humiliating Turkish identity," and faces up to three years in prison if found guilty.

Novelist Pamuk faces three years in prison

A case was brought against Pamuk on June 30, based on article 301/1 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) following an investigation by the Sisli Republic Prosecutor's Office. The offence is punishable by six months to three years in prison.

Hrant Dink, who wrote a series or articles in the weekly Armenian community weekly newspaper "Agos" on Armenian identity, also faces the same charges. His next hearing will be held on September 13.

A written statement by the Iletisim Publishing House stated: "During an interview with a Swiss journalist in 2004, writer Pamuk, in response to a question, said, 'One million Armenians and thirty thousand Kurds were killed here,' to emphasize that the subject of Armenian emigration is a sensitive one. The translation of his words was published in Aktuel weekly magazine's February-March 2005 issue."

The statement added that the Istanbul Republic Prosecutor's Office, who also investigated the allegations decided against filing charges on July 1 on account of the fact that "statements in the characteristic of criticism do not constitute crime," based on the last paragraph of article 301 of the TCK. (EO/EA/YE)