Mehmet Arslan, broadcasting editor of the local radio station Dünya in Adana, southern Turkey, has been acquitted in a trial brought for the airing of a Kurdish song.

Following the trial and acquittal two years ago for playing a song called “Mihemendo” sung by famous Kurdish singer in exile Şivan Perwer, Arslan faced a renewed trial for the airing of the song “Keçe Kurdan” (Kurdish girl) sung by Aynur Doğan.

No evidence of incitement to hatred

At the third hearing at the Adana 2nd Criminal Court, the radio broadcaster, tried without detention, rejected the accusation of “incitement to hatred and hostility.”

He argued that the folk song did not contain any lyrics to incite the public to hatred or hostility. Furthermore, the song sung by Aynur Doğan is on one of her cassettes, publicly sold with the tax stamp of the Ministry of Culture.

His lawyer, Kenan Karavil, added expert opinions to the file, saying that some of the translations of the song into Turkish had been distorted, and that the song did not contain anything criminal.

Prosecutor Hasan Öz demanded acquittal for Arslan, saying that a consideration of the song and other songs on the singer’s cassette showed that there was no “clear and present danger” of incitement.

Head judge Recai Kaya then acquitted Arslan. The Contemporary Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD) in Adana spoke to the press in front of the court, demanding that there be an end to the repression of Kurdish.

Previous acquittal

Previously, Radio Dünya was put on trial for playing the song “Mihemendo” on 16 October 2007. The Anti-terrorism unit of the Adana police had filed a complaint, but the same criminal court had acquitted the radio station.  (EÖ/AG)