Articles by PEN International
Playwright Esber Yagmurdereli imprisoned in order to serve 23- year sentence
(WiPC/IFEX) – On 19 October 1997, playwright and lawyer Esber Yagmurdereli was arrested at his home in Istanbul by the Istanbul Security Directorate Public Order Department. He was taken to the Department’s offices in Gayrettepe, Istanbul where he was held for two days before eventually being transferred on 21 October to a prison in Cankiri. […]
Further details of trial against publisher Recep Marasli
(WiPC/IFEX) – The trial hearing against publisher and poet Recep Marasli, accused of membership in a pro-Kurdish organisation (see IFEX alerts), was held on 2 October 1997 at the Ankara State Security Court. During this hearing, defence lawyers pointed out that Marasli was being tried for the same charges by another court in Istanbul and […]
Journalist Pavel Sheremet freed pending trial
(WiPC/IFEX) – On 8 October 1997, Pavel Sheremet, the Minsk bureau chief of the Russian television station ORT, was released pending trial. He was reportedly taken home in handcuffs under escort by police officers. His release is on condition that he not leave Minsk. Sheremet’s lawyers say that his trial is due to start by […]
Trial against publisher Recep Marasli continues
(WiPC/IFEX) – On 2 October 1997, the next hearing of Recep Marasli’s case will be held at the Ankara State Security Court. Marasli, a publisher and poet, remains in pre-trial detention, despite urgent requests from doctors in Turkey, as well as from national and international human rights groups, that Marasli be freed to receive medical […]
Writer Pham Duc Kham released
(WiPC/IFEX) – International PEN has received confirmation of the release of writer Pham Duc Kham on 28 August 1997 on “humanitarian grounds”, five years before his sentence was due to expire. He has reportedly joined his family in San Jose, California, in the United States of America. **Updates IFEX alert dated 31 March 1993** Pham […]
Wife of detained editor Faraj Sarkoohi publishes letter highlighting concerns for her husband’s health
(WiPC/IFEX) – In early September 1997, the family of Faraj Sarkoohi, an editor detained in Iran since January 1997, were given permission to visit him in prison. Farideh Zebardsjad, Sarkoohi’s wife who lives in Europe, has issued an open letter giving details of the meeting. In the letter, Mrs Zebardsjad describes the family’s reaction to […]
Extension of sentences served against writer Zhou Guoqiang and editor Liu Nianchun
(WiPC/IFEX) – Writer Zhou Guoqiang and editor Liu Nianchun reportedly had their sentences extended in early 1997 by 288 days and 216 days respectively for “refusing to reform themselves”. **Updates IFEX alerts dated 23 September and 12 March 1996 (Zhou Guoqiang)** Background Information Zhou Guoqiang was sentenced without charge or trial on 3 September 1994 […]
Novelist Ala’a Hamed freed pending ruling from the Court of Cassation
(WiPC/IFEX) – On 3 August 1997, Ala’a Hamed (also reported as Allaa Hamed and Alaa Hamed) and his lawyers appeared before the Cairo Appeal Court to petition judges to suspend Hamed’s one-year prison sentence until the Court of Cassation issues a final ruling on the case. **Updates IFEX alerts dated 15 August, 25 July, 25 […]