(CRN/IFEX) – The following is a CRN press release: Turkish editorial cartoonists’ cases postponed for “expert opinion” Askin Ayrancioglu and Seyit Saatci, two Turkish editorial cartoonists, were placed under house arrest in July 2001 for cartoons that appeared as part of a public exhibit at the Boyabat Public Library. One cartoon depicted a Kurdish mother […]
(CRN/IFEX) – The following is a CRN press release:
Turkish editorial cartoonists’ cases postponed for “expert opinion”
Askin Ayrancioglu and Seyit Saatci, two Turkish editorial cartoonists, were placed under house arrest in July 2001 for cartoons that appeared as part of a public exhibit at the Boyabat Public Library. One cartoon depicted a Kurdish mother mourning for her lost son and another cartoon focused on the military authorities. The cartoons were also confiscated at that time.
These cartoons can be seen at http://www.interplus.ro/smileclub/index.html (Cartoonists Rights Network South-Eastern Europe) under the ALERT button.
According to a report received at CRN from a Turkish cartoonists’ organization yesterday, the charge at court (Turkish law/matter case no. 159/1-31-33-36) was Contempt of the State Police. The punishment, if the editorial cartoonists were convicted, would have been from 1 to 6 years’ imprisonment.
Turkish law is undergoing some dynamic changes, so their case was referred to another court. After another hearing on November 26, 2002, the case was sent up to the Turkish Supreme Court. They in turn sent it back down to the Bayabat Law Court. On March 7, 2003, the court set a new hearing date of April 10, 2003, at which time they will hear from an expert witness who will render an opinion about the cartoons and their meanings under the law.
Cartoonists Rights Network is in contact with both cartoonists and is monitoring this case. We feel that this case will further inform the freedom of expression community about the Turkish government’s intent and ability to liberalize its draconian insult laws and curtail other attacks against journalists and writers.
