Author Nişanyan Sentenced to 13.5 Months of Prison

Istanbul 14th Peace Court convicted author Sevan Nişanyan to 13.5 months of prison for insulting Prophet Mohammed in one of his articles. 

While Nişanyan’s sentence can not be commuted to a fine due to a previous judgement, the verdict is open for appeal. 

“Ridiculing with an Arab leader who claimed to have contacted God and gained political, financial and sexual gains from it. This is kindergarten level example of expression freedom,” Nişanyan wrote on 29 September 2012 in his article called “We should battle hate crimes”. 

Following the release of the article, 15 individuals separately filed complaints against Nişanyan for “openly insulting religious values of a certain faction of the society”. 

Nişanyan shared his defense with his followers on twitter after the verdict was announced. 

He also wrote “These dudes are going to sue me. This is earning money from the shoulder of God. Good business,” he wrote previously on twitter.  

In April famous pianist Fazıl Say was also convicted to 10 months of prison for “insulting religious values” through his twitter messages. (EKN/BM)