En Three excricated from crime of thought charges

Three excricated from crime of thought charges

20.05.2000 - 00:00 | Son Güncellenme: 20.05.2000 - 00:00

Three excricated from crime of thought charges

The Court released Yavuz Bingol, Perihan Magden and Mina Urgan, the editors of the book "Freedom of Thought 2000", as they defended themselves that they signed the book without reading it.SEMRA PELEK Istanbul

       A book named "Freedom of Thought 2000", which many well-known authors and artists signed as editors restarted discussions about the crimes of thought.
       Yavuz Bingol, Mina Urgan and Perihan Magden, who are among the eight people that let their names be in the book as editors, but released by the court took different stances about it.
       Bingol said he doesn't agree with 80 percent of the articles in the book. "Thoughts should be expressed freely. I'm not against this, but this also has a limit. Some of the articles were not serious."
       "I don't have such provocative thoughts in the heart. There should be a place and time to express thoughts. Democracy, human rights and expression of thought have their own measures. The only mistake I made was to sign the book without reading it," he said.

"I liked it"
       Urgan said, on the other hand, she read the book after she gave her testimony, and liked it.
       "I my written defence I sent to the court, I told him that I hadn't seen the book, hadn't nead it but signed it without a hesitation since I defend freedom of thought. I in fact hadn't seen it, but I would sign it after reading it as well. This is a book that deals with freedom of thought and expression. I entirely agree with it."

"I prefer to commit crime in my column"
       Perihan Magden on the other hand said she prefers to commit a crime in her own column instead of signing other articles that she doesn't agree with.
       "I participated in this protest, but regretted it. I think I'd prefer to commit crime in my own writings. I have the opportunity to do this since I'm a journalist, other may not have such a chance.
       The prosecution requested 9,5 years for the other 16 people, which signed the book among whom there are Lale Mansur, Zuhal Olcay, Professor Ali Nesin, Vahdettin Karabay the Chairman of DISK, Siyami Erdem, the Chairman of KESK and Sanar Yurdatapan.