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Alert

Author Elif Shafak, her publisher and translator facing trial on charges of "insulting Turkishness"

(WiPC/IFEX) - Elif Shafak, a highly respected and best-selling author, is facing trial on charges of "insulting Turkishness" under the notorious Article 301 of the Turkish Criminal Code. Her publisher, Semi Sökmen of the Metis Publishing House, and translator Asli Bican are also facing charges. They are accused in connection with Shafak's book, "The Bastard of Istanbul". International PEN considers that Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code falls foul of international standards that protect the right to freedom of expression and to which Turkey is a signatory. It urges that the court hearing the case takes this breach into consideration and reconsiders its decision to proceed with the case.

One month ago, on 7 June 2006, the Beyoglu Public Prosecutor in Istanbul dismissed proceedings launched against Shafak after hearing Shafak and Sökmen's argument that the book was a work of literature and that prosecution was therefore not appropriate. They added that the book aimed to promote the culture of peace. However, in early July the Istanbul 7th High Criminal Court over-ruled the decision not to proceed, following a complaint filed by Kemal Kerincsiz, a member of a group of right-wing lawyers known as the "Unity of Jurists" who have been active in the launching of prosecutions of numerous writers and journalists in recent months. The trial date has not yet been set.

Shafak's book tells the story of two families - one based in Istanbul, the other an exiled Armenian family living in San Francisco - who share a family secret dating from the early 19th century that continues to affect the lives of their daughters in the present. Originally written in English, the book was published by the Metis Publishing House in March 2006 and has since become a best seller. It is due to be published in English by Viking/Penguin.