Artist on Trial for Remarks on Kurdish Issue

Izmir Public Prosecututor's Office filed a case against artist Ferhat Tunç on allegations of "propagation of the illegal pro-Kurdish guerilla group PKK", based on a speech he made during a concert in Alanya last year.

"Guerillas who loose their lives are sons of this country just as the soldiers who die. My heart bleeds for each soldier and each guerilla who gets killed...", he said during a concert on July 22, 2006.

The first sitting of the court is scheduled for June 6, at İzmir 10th High Criminal Court.

If convicted, Tunc faces between 1,5 and 15 years of imprisonment, as foreseen at the Prevention of Terrorism Law (TMY).

Tunc still faces two other legal investigations related to an article he wrote at Ülkede Özgür Gündem daily and for participating in the initiative, which met private Coskun Krandi on his release from the guerillas who abducted him.

Known for his critical approach regarding the Kurdish issue in turkey, Tunc has received death threats from radical nationalist groups. He's also known to be warned by the security forces "to be cautious".(EÖ/EÜ)