Ragıp Zarakolu

Although the lawsuit was technically filed under article 159 of the old Penal Code, there is no question that as far as the mentality of the court is concerned, the publisher Zarakolu is sentenced under article 301. However, the court acquitted him for the crime of insulting Atatürk.

At the 28th IPA Publishers Congress in Seoul, Korea, Ragip Zarakolu was voted recipient of the 2008 IPA Freedom to Publish Prize for his exemplary courage in upholding freedom to publish.

The IPA has protested against the long duration of the court case against Zarakolu, as well as against the charges brought.

Writer George Jerjian has written a letter of support for publisher Ragip Zarakolu, who is on trial for publishing his book. Ferhat Tunc's case continues in December.

Despite pressure from the EU and human rights activists internationally and domestically, the prosecution of journalists, writers and activists under the infamous Article 301 continues.