Defamation Cases May Harm Turkey EU Bid - by Amberin Zaman
ANKARA, Turkey — Six months after internationally acclaimed author Orhan Pamuk was cleared on charges of insulting the Turkish identity, another best-selling novelist is facing similar charges. Elif Shafak could serve up to three years in jail if convicted over remarks made by a fictional character in her latest book, "The Bastard of Istanbul." The novel touches on one of the most sensitive subjects in Turkey, the Armenian genocide.
Shafak's case is likely to further tarnish the image of Turkey, which is engaged in membership talks with the 25-member European Union. EU politicians and diplomats are expressing concern over the number of cases brought against Turkish writers and journalists under Article 301 of the penal code, which outlines penalties for defaming the Turkish Republic or "Turkishness." Olli Rehn, the European official supervising membership talks, said Wednesday that Turkish courts were failing to comply with EU standards.