A "jet aquittal" for Turkish author Elif Safak
Güncelleme Tarihi:
In what is being called a "jet aquittal,"internationally-acclaimed Turkish author Elif Safak has had all charges against her lifted today by an Istanbul judge. Charges against Safak had been based on the 301st article of the Turkish Penal Code, which calls for imprisonment for people accused of "insulting Turkishness, the Turkish Republic, or the Turkish Parliament." Passages from Safak's recent novel "Father and Bastard" had been at the root of charges brought against her. In the announcement of the aquittal, the judge cited insufficient evidence and lack of basis for the charges.
Safak, who is still in the hospital following birth via caesarean to a baby daughter last week, spoke with an NTV reporter about the recent events concerning her
trial: "Those who don't think like us accuse us of being slaves of imperialism. They accuse of being the slaves of their enemies."
Â
Following the quick end of the Safak hearing, supporters of the two different sides filled the Beyoglu streets in front of the courts, yelling slogans and threatening eachother with physical violence. A group led by nationalist lawyer Kerim Kerincsiz appeared in front of the Beyoglu courthouse carrying Turkish flags and posters of Ataturk, as well as a banner declaring "EU facsism." Speaking to reporters before the start of the trial, lawyer Kerincsiz noted he "had the right to take a case out against those who swear at the Turkish people."
Meanwhile, Safak's many supporters were also on hand for the hearing in Beyoglu, among them her husband, Eyup Can Saglik. Said Saglik to reporters: "I hope that Turkey can immediately rescue itself from this great shame. Turkey does not deserve this 301st article; it just does not suit this country to try the authors of novels, artistic works, or people who make any sort of critical comments. We will watch this case closely.......But I really don't think cases like this should be at the top of Turkey's agenda."
Other noteable figures present before the opening of the Safak trial were Joost Lagendijk, the deputy head of the Turkey-EU Parliamentary Commission, as well as representative from PEN, the international writers'
organization.
   Â