Pamuks Trial Adjourned Amid Nationalist Boos

The trial of Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk amid tumultuous protests by nationalist adversaries who had informed him of "denigrating Turkishness" is adjourned until when the Justice Ministry will send its consent if Pamuk should be tried under article 159 of the former penal code, which the judge believes, is in favor of Pamuk.

Lawmakers from the European parliament among whom were Daniel Cohn-Bendit and Joost Lagendeik and leading Turkish intellectuals were present Friday for the trial in which Pamuk, 53, risks six months to three years in jail.

During entry in the Sisli District Justice Hall and exit nationalist groups making signs of wolf heads with their hands shouted slogans against Pamuk whom they charged with "threason" for admitting that "30 thousand Kurds and 1 million Armenians were killed in this land" in an interview with a Swiss magazine.

The groups further attacked Pamuk's car blowing with fists and kicking as it had to slow to make way out of the crowd. A British diplomat and German MEP of Turkish origin Cem Özdemir too are reported to be attacked inside the court building. The police soon dispersed the attackers.

The court, in a ruling dated December 2, said that since the alleged offence was committed before Turkey amended its penal code earlier this year, Pamuk should be judged under the old law, which requires a direct order from the justice ministry for the trial to proceed.

Justice Minister Cemil Cicek in remarks published Friday said he had not received the prosecution file by Thursday afternoon, making it unlikely the trial would begin Friday.(AFP/EK/YE)