‘A Real Turkish Writer’

Orhan Pamuk, who spoke out about the Turkish genocide (‘treatment’) of Armenians last years, talks with Aida Edemariam of the Guardian about the case against him:

Eventually he returned to face trial and a possible three years’ imprisonment. “Living as I do in a country that honours its pashas, saints and policemen at every opportunity, but refuses to honour its writers until they have spent years in courts and in prisons,” he wrote in the New Yorker four days before his court date, “I cannot say I was surprised to be put on trial. I understand why friends smile and say that I am at last ‘a real Turkish writer’.” The trial in December was adjourned within minutes when the judge passed the matter to the justice minister; in January, the justice minister passed it back to the court, which decided there was no case to answer. It has been said this was only because of the firestorm of international condemnation the trial provoked, yet though Pamuk now insists the case would have been dismissed regardless, it would be foolish to ignore the fault lines it exposed.

More here.

Thanks to David for the link.