Turkey upholds novelist travel ban amid free speech crackdown
A Turkish court has maintained a contentious foreign travel ban on prominent novelist Asli Erdogan in a case widely seen as an infringement of her right to freedom of expression.
Erdogan was arrested last August along with 20 other journalists and employees from the now-closed pro-Kurdish opposition daily Ozgur Gundem, on charges of “making terrorist propaganda.” Ankara shut down the newspaper over alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Erdogan was released in December 2016 pending trial.
Read more:
On Tuesday, the Istanbul court ruled to keep the travel ban in place against Erdogan despite her calls to be allowed out of the country temporarily.
She expressed deep disappointment at the ruling and said, "I am asking for the removal of the overseas travel ban temporarily, so that I can participate in award ceremonies abroad.”
Erdal Dogan, the lawyer representing Erdogan, also told the court that her client’s participation in some ceremonies abroad could help alleviate Turkey's recent tensions with several European countries, adding, "Writers and journalists are peace envoys.”
Erdogan’s next hearing is due on June 22. If convicted, she could face life imprisonment.
She has published several well-received novels, including "The City in Crimson Cloak,” which has been translated into English.
The author’s pre-trial detention sparked an international outcry, with prominent lawyers and human rights activists saying her arrest breached both Turkey’s constitution and the European convention on human rights.
Last December, Postsecondary Education Network International (PEN-International), a worldwide association of writers, said that Erdogan was being held solely for peacefully exercising her right to free speech.
The writer’s arrest came as part of a crackdown launched by the Turkish government on the media and opposition groups, who were believed to have played a role in the abortive military coup on July 15, 2016. The failed coup was blamed on the movement led by US-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen.
Erdogan: Israel to blame for tensions in West Asia
Turkey imposes trade restrictions on Israel over Gaza war
Turkish police arrest dozens in pro-Palestine rally in Istanbul
The struggles of Occupied Palestine
Ayatollah Khamenei exalts great Persian poet on Saadi Day
Iran’s Civil Defense examines country’s preparation for potential threats
FBI chief: Chinese hackers targeting critical US infrastructure
New York Times leaked memo on Gaza coverage reveals obfuscation of facts
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
Barbados officially announces recognition of Palestine as state
US Senate reauthorizes surveillance bill despite privacy concerns
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
