Pamuk trial halted until government authorisation

The Istanbul court trying prominent Turkish author Orhan Pamuk on charges of insulting the Turkish nation on Friday suspended the trial until February 7 pending authorisation to proceed from the justice ministry.

The court had ruled on December 2 that since the alleged offence was committed before Turkey amended its penal code earlier this year, Pamuk should be judged under the old law, which requires a direct order from the justice ministry for the trial to proceed.

Read the whole story in Hürriyet

See also:

• Pamuk Case Adjourned Until 7 Feb. (Zaman)
• Fanatical nationalist attack to Orhan Pamuk’s vehicle (KurdishInfo)
• Novelist goes on trial for insulting Turkey (TimesOnLine)
• Pamuk goes on trial, Turkey under international spotlight (Turkish Daily News)
• Turkey: Trial Of Novelist Orhan Pamuk Puts Focus On Freedom Of Speech (RadioFreeEuropeRadioLiberty)