Last year, the complaint of an Emre Bukağılı about the Turkish translation of the “God Delusion” book by Dawkins resulted in a court case in which the publisher was acquitted on 2 April 2008.
Now a complaint by a Sonia Eskinazi, who says that the book insults Judaism, Allah and the prophets, has resulted in a new court case.
Karaaslan will be tried at the same court, the Şişli 2nd Criminal Court, on 16 June. Like the first time, the articles cited are Articles 216/1-3 and 54 of the Turkish Penal Code.
The publisher faces up to four years imprisonment.
On 30 October, Eskinazi filed her complaint, in which she said that the 360-page book contained insults of the Jewish religion, Allah, and prophets much-loved by Jews.
Five particular pages have been cited in the indictment for overstepping the mark of criticism, and inciting hatred or denigration.
At the publisher’s acquittal on 2 April, the court had cited an expert’s report had said that there was no sign of insult to Islam, and that the book referred to a corrupted Torah/Old Testament. The report also said that the book offered a balance of opinions and that there was no need to confiscate it. (EÖ/TK/AG)