Turkish pianist goes on trial for insulting religious values
- 12 years ago
Supporters of internationally acclaimed Turkish pianist Fazil Say gather outside the Istanbul court where his trial began on Thursday.
The 42-year-old is charged with insulting Muslim religious values on twitter.
Say quoted a well known poem by 11th century Persian poet Omar Khayyam that ridiculed the hypocrisy of those claiming to be pious.
Defiant demonstrators here brought a banner with the words of the poem written on it.
One lawyer at the protest said the trial threatens Turkish freedom.
(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) GERMAN LAWMAKER OF TURKISH ORIGIN SEVIL DAGDELEN:
"We believe that this case is mostly against freedom of expression. Therefore, I am here to stand in solidarity."
Say has performed with orchestras in New York, Berlin, Israel, France and Tokyo, and served as a cultural ambassador to the European Union.
His hearing was adjourned until February 2013 - if convicted the internationally renowned pianist could face 18 months in prison.
The 42-year-old is charged with insulting Muslim religious values on twitter.
Say quoted a well known poem by 11th century Persian poet Omar Khayyam that ridiculed the hypocrisy of those claiming to be pious.
Defiant demonstrators here brought a banner with the words of the poem written on it.
One lawyer at the protest said the trial threatens Turkish freedom.
(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) GERMAN LAWMAKER OF TURKISH ORIGIN SEVIL DAGDELEN:
"We believe that this case is mostly against freedom of expression. Therefore, I am here to stand in solidarity."
Say has performed with orchestras in New York, Berlin, Israel, France and Tokyo, and served as a cultural ambassador to the European Union.
His hearing was adjourned until February 2013 - if convicted the internationally renowned pianist could face 18 months in prison.