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Wednesday, 20 December 2006, 18:06 GMT

Turks acquitted over Chomsky book

Noam Chomsky Four Turks have been acquitted of insulting "Turkishness" in their translation of a book by prominent American writer Noam Chomsky.

Publisher Fatih Tas was found not guilty, along with a translator and two editors, of contravening article 301 of the penal code.

The European Union has pressed Turkey to reform the code, which it views as a bar on freedom of expression.

It followed the acquittal of another author, Ipek Calislar, on Tuesday.

Ms Calislar had been accused of insulting modern Turkey's founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, by writing that he had once fled disguised as a woman.

The law has also been used against dozens of writers and journalists, including acclaimed novelists Orhan Pamuk - this year's Nobel laureate for literature - and Elif Shafak.

Most have been acquitted.

Fatih Tas had published a Turkish version of Chomsky's book Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media.

It examines what part the media play in setting social agendas, and criticises Turkey's treatment of its Kurdish minority.

Editors Omer Faruk Kurhan and Taylan Tosun, and translator Ender Abadoglu were also acquitted as the judge ruled there was no case to answer.



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Related to this story:
Turkish writer cleared of insult (19 Dec 06 |  Europe )
Writer's trial a key moment for Turkey (22 Sep 06 |  Europe )
Top novelist acquitted in Turkey (21 Sep 06 |  Europe )
EU blasts Turkish author's trial (13 Sep 05 |  Europe )
Country profile: Turkey (26 Jul 06 |  Country profiles )
Turkey warned over media freedom (12 Jul 06 |  Europe )

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