Turkish Intelligentsia Protests against Freedom of Speech LimitationsDecember 27, 2005 - 15:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - December 26 several tens of Turkish writers, actors, journalists and scholars urged Turkish authorities to stop limiting freedom of speech that resulted in a trial of well-known writer and publicist Orhan Pamuk. The declaration signed by 169 intelligentsia representatives notes the EU considers the trial of O. Pamuk as an indicator of Turkey's commitment to freedom of speech and is «a mortal blow over democratization processes in Turkey.» The declaration was also signed by the Agos Istanbul newspaper editor-in-chief Hrant Dink, who was conditionally sentenced for criticizing article 301 of the new Turkish Criminal Code. According to the sentence, «the ethnic Armenian journalist will not be imprisoned, if he does not repeat what he has done.» It should be reminded that O. Pamuk is accused of «abasing the Turkish People and the Turkish Republic.» In an interview with a Swiss newspaper in February 2005 O. Pamuk stated 30 thousand Kurds and 1 million Armenians were killed in Turkey. The trial on Pamuk's case was postponed from December 16, 2005 to February 7, 2006. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Viva: Armenia's leading technology company introduces a new trademark The updated brand Viva reflects a qualitatively new level of digital services. Turkey restoring 500-year-old Surp Sarkis Armenian Church During the program, Sahak Maşalyan, the Patriarch of Türkiye's Armenians, inspected the historic church and offered prayers. Cumulative deposit on flexible terms: Byblos Bank Armenia's new offer Once the deposit is fixed, it can be topped up at any time, and interest will be accrued quarterly. BSEC Secretary General due in Armenia on July 1 On July 1, the Secretary General of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC) Lazar Comanescu will pay a working visit to Armenia. |