"Turkish foreign minister defends judicial integrity
By Vincent Boland in Ankara
Published: October 17 2005 18:11 | Last updated: October 17 2005 18:11
TurkeyA charge of treason against Orhan Pamuk, the Turkish novelist, was almost certain to be dismissed by the courts when his trial begins in December but was damaging to Turkey's image abroad regardless of the outcome, the country's foreign minister said.
Abdullah Gul said the publicity given to Mr Pamuk's forthcoming trial for “public denigration of Turkish identity” had overshadowed what he insisted were notable efforts to modernise Turkey's judicial system and to enhance freedom of expression and civil rights."
More:FT.com / World / Europe - Turkish foreign minister defends judicial integrity