Turkey (2002)

Medium: Literature

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Artist: Editors Yildiz Göksu and Tuncay Deniz, author and judge Nurullah Aydin, Iletisim Publishing House, Bedri Vatansever, representative of the Can Printing House and Vahdettin Ince, translator, unnamed travler leaving Turkey, Ömer Faruk, administrator for Ayr

Confronting Bodies: The Turkish Judicial System, police and customs securtity.

Dates of Action: January - March 2002

Location: Istanbul and Ipsala, Turkey.

Description of Artwork: A book on death fasts compiling articles published in the journal Vatan, the book Parti ve Devrim Sehitleri Albümü (Party and the Album of Revolution Martyrs), a book entitled Her Sey Türkiye Için Milli Stratejik Konsept (Everything is for Turkey, National Strategical Concept), a book entitled Göç, Rumlarin Anadolu'dan Mecburi Ayrilisi; 1919-1923 (Migration, Forced Departure of Anatolian Greeks from Anatolia), a novel named Kasirga Taburu (Hurricane Battalion), a book entitled Barzani ve Kürt Ulusal Özgürlük Hareketi (Barzani and Kurdish National Liberation Movement) on the life of Molla Mustafa Barzani, Marquis de Sade's book titled Yatak Odasinda Felsefe (Philosophy in the Bedroom), and a book called Kina ve Ayna (Henna and Mirror).

The Incident: Istanbul SSC ordered the confiscation of the book entitled 100 Sayida Dizisi-2 (In 100 Issues-2) in January. The book was compilation of articles on death fast actions published in the journal Vatan .

The book Parti ve Devrim Sehitleri Albümü (Party and the Album of Revolution Martyrs) edited by Yildiz Göksu and Tuncay Deniz confiscated in January by Istanbul SSC on the grounds that the book contained propaganda for an illegal organization.

The 8th Chamber of the Court of Cassation confirmed the acquittal decision by Ankara Criminal Court No.2 in connection with the case of former judge Nurullah Aydin launched on the allegations that "he insulted the armed forces" in his book entitled Her Sey Türkiye Için Milli Stratejik Konsept (Everything is for Turkey, National Strategical Concept).

The book entitled Göç, Rumlarin Anadolu'dan Mecburi Ayrilisi; 1919-1923 (Migration, Forced Departure of Anatolian Greeks from Anatolia) published by Iletisim Publishing House was confiscated in January on the allegations that it contained "insults to Atatürk". Nihat Tuna, representative of Iletisim Publishing House and the translator of the book were also indicted.

Istanbul SSC reportedly launched an investigation in connection with a book entitled Saklanmaya Çalisilan Bir Mesale Ibrahim Kaypakkaya in February.

The novel named Kasirga Taburu (Hurricane Battalion) published by Aram Publishing House was confiscated by Istanbul SSC in February on the allegation that the book aimed at "aiding an illegal organization".

An officer charged at Ipsala Customs Gate reportedly hindered the sending of a book abroad on the allegations that it was "harmful" in Ipsala on 7 March. The book entitled Barzani ve Kürt Ulusal Özgürlük Hareketi (Barzani and Kurdish National Liberation Movement) on the life of Molla Mustafa Barzani, father of Mesut Barzani was published by Doz Publishing House. Bedri Vatansever, representative of the Can Printing House and Vahdettin Ince, translator were reportedly testified before the public prosecutor related to the book.

On 19 March, Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No.2 started to hear the case of Ömer Faruk, administrator for Ayrinti publishing house and translator Kerim Sadi in connection with Marquis de Sade's book titled Yatak Odasinda Felsefe (Philosophy in the Bedroom). Ömer Faruk reminded that the book was translated to Turkish after 207 years of its publication. The hearing was adjourned to 4 June. Indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced according to Article 426 TPC (insulting the moral feelings of the people).

Istanbul SSC issued an order for confiscation of the book Kina ve Ayna (Henna and Mirror), written by Müslüm Yücel, on the grounds that it contained separatist propaganda on 28 March.

Results of Incident: Books confiscated, Judge acquitted, writers, translators and publishing houses indited and travel out of country impeded.

Source: Human Rights Foundation of Turkey [[Category:Europe]