Turkish Court Dropped Case against Author of Book about Ataturk's Wife
A court yesterday acquitted Ipek Calislar, author of the first comprehensive biography of Ataturk's wife of two years Latife Ussaki, of insulting the country's founder by saying he fled an assassination attempt dressed in women's clothing.
The book, which came out this June, became quite popular, having sold 56,000 in a short time. Hurriyet's interview with Calislar, who is a journalist of 36 years, included an excerpt based on the accounts of Latife Hanim's sister Vecihe Hanim regarding Ataturk who, according to the book, in the face of an assassination attempt, left the Presidential Palace in a chador disguised as a woman.
The European Union has said such laws inhibit free expression and that Turkey must change them if it hopes to be successful in its membership bid. Most cases brought under the insult clauses have either been dropped on a technicality, including the one against Pamuk, or the writers have been acquitted, reports The New Anatolian.
The book, which came out this June, became quite popular, having sold 56,000 in a short time. Hurriyet's interview with Calislar, who is a journalist of 36 years, included an excerpt based on the accounts of Latife Hanim's sister Vecihe Hanim regarding Ataturk who, according to the book, in the face of an assassination attempt, left the Presidential Palace in a chador disguised as a woman.
The European Union has said such laws inhibit free expression and that Turkey must change them if it hopes to be successful in its membership bid. Most cases brought under the insult clauses have either been dropped on a technicality, including the one against Pamuk, or the writers have been acquitted, reports The New Anatolian.
