**Updates IFEX alerts of 30, 28, 24, 21, 20 and 10 September 1999** (WiPC/IFEX) – The trial of Nadire Mater, which was scheduled to continue on 8 March 2000, has been postponed. In a hearing that lasted only a few minutes, Mater was told that because an expert witness who was supposed to report to […]
**Updates IFEX alerts of 30, 28, 24, 21, 20 and 10 September 1999**
(WiPC/IFEX) – The trial of Nadire Mater, which was scheduled to continue on 8 March 2000, has been postponed. In a hearing that lasted only a few minutes, Mater was told that because an expert witness who was supposed to report to the court on 8 March had not completed the preparation of his papers, the trial hearing would be postponed until 5 May. The writer faces a maximum of six years in prison on charges of “insulting the military” in her book “Mehmedâs Book: Soldiers Who Have Fought in the South East Speak Out”. This is the second such postponement of the trial.
International PEN remains deeply concerned that Mater and her publisher, Semih Sokman, are on trial facing charges that could lead to six years in prison. PEN considers the judicial proceedings to be in blatant disregard of international standards guaranteeing the right to freedom of expression. It calls for an annulment of the charges against Mater and Sokmen, and believes that all legislation which allows for the imprisonment of those who practice their right to express their views should be reviewed.
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Appeals To
His Excellency Hikmet Sami Turk
Minister of Justice
Adalet Bakaligi
06440 Bakaniklar
Ankara, Turkey
Fax: +903 12 417 3954
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