Sumerologist Cig Acquitted

On trial for writing that the traditional headdress known as the "turban" was first used by prostitutes in religious rites of the Sumerian times, 92-year-old researcher and writer Muazzez Ilmiye Cig and her publisher Ismet Ogutcu have been acquitted on charges of "inciting hatred and enmity, and committing denigration".

Born in 1914 and having spent most of her life shedding light on past civilizations, cited as a great contributor to the creation of an archive on cuneiform script and renown as one of the world's most leading Sumerologists, Cig told an Istanbul court on Wednesday that she rejected the charges.

"I am a person who believes in the principles of [modern Turkey's founder] Ataturk" she told the bench in an over-crowded court room, flanked by nearly two dozen senior defense lawyers. "I do not possess the mentality to incite hatred or enmity" she added having submitted a 14-page defense statement to the court.

Publisher of her 2005 book "Vatadaslik Tepkilerim" (My Citizenship Reactions) subject to prosecution, Kaynak Publishing House owner Ogutcu appeared with her in the dock and said in his defense that he had no responsibility but to print the book. He said this was so particularly in light of the fact that Cig's letters and articles had been sent to leading state officials.

"In any event," he said, "there was no case when the items were first published".

Cig's book, written after her retirement, is a collection of various letters and telegrams she sent at various times to senior state officials and journalists. The article referring to the use of the turban in Sumerian times was previously published in the Utopya magazine in 1997 and many other references to the issue of similar nature were made in a 1995 book written by Cig.

Cig's "Vatandaslik Tepkilerim" was published last year without problems and it was only after a complaint filed by Izmir Bar Association lawyer Yusuf Akin was taken up by the Istanbul Beyoglu Public Prosecutor's Office that the prosecution was launched on December 15, 2005.

The two were subsequently charged under articles 125 and 216 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). Article 125 covers offences committed by "insulting values that are regarded as sacred by an individual's religion" while article 216/2, widely used to prosecute intellectuals and writers, governs the offence of "incitement to hatred and enmity as well as denigration".

A number of observers were allowed into the courtroom while tens of others gathered outside. PEN Turkey Center Writers in Prison Committee chair Muge Sokmen, PEN Turkey Peace Committee Chair Yilmaz Onay, painter Bedri Baykam, Istanbul women organization representatives, former Mugla governess Lale Aytaman and former state minister Nilay Alpago were present in the room to support Cig and Ogutucu.

Gureli: Hope for democracy

Speaking to bianet on the favorable verdict, Turkey's Journalists Association (TGC) former chair Nail Gureli said the decision brought feelings of hope for democracy in the country.

"We came here to stand up for the freedom of science and for the independence of the judiciary" he said.

DISK: "We have judges not accomplice to the shame"

In a written statement he issued on the case, Turkey's RevolutionarY workers Unions Confederation (DISK) Secretary General Musa Cam stressed that Cig was a known and recognized researcher and that bringing forth such a case against her showed how "heart-rendering the situation in the country is".

Cam said that the conclusion of the case in an actuittal decision was joyful because "it shows we have judges who are not accomplices to the shame".

Background: Muazzez İlmiye Cig

Cig is a researcher and writer born on June 20, 1914 in the western Turkish province of Bursa. She has also written under the pseudonym Muazzez Çığ.

She started her primary education in Çorum and completed it in Bursa (1925). She graduated from Bursa Teacher Training School for Women (1931) and Ankara University, Faculty of Language, History and Geography, Department of Sumerology (1940). She worked as a Sumerologist and cuneiform expert at the İstanbul Archeological Museum and retired in 1972.

Her articles have been published in many reviews and newspapers such as Belleten and Bilim ve Ütopya. She is an honorary member of German Archeology Institute and İstanbul University, Institute of Prehistoric Sciences.

Cig has published a number of books and scientific papers in her past. Her study and research includes: Kur'an, İncil ve Tevrat'ın Sümer'deki Kökeni (The Origins of the Koran, the Bible and the Torah in Babylon, 1995), Sümerli Ludingirra (Babylonian Ludingirra, a retrospective science-fiction, 1996), İbrahim Peygamber (The Prophet Abram, according to Babylonian writings and archeological finds, 1997), İnanma'nın Aşkı (The Love of İnanma, the Belief and the Holy Marriage in Babylon, 1998), Hititler ve Hattuşa (The Hittites and Hattuşa, written by İstar, 2000), Ortadoğu Uygarlık Mirası (Civilization Heritage in the Middle-East, 2002).

Her Children's Literature can be listed as: Zaman Tüneli ile Sümer'e Yolculuk (Time Tunnel and the Journey to Babylon, 1993). (EO/TK/IIYE/EU)