19 December 2008 12:22
TURKISH SINGER ESCAPES JAIL
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TURKISH SINGER ESCAPES JAIL
Transexual Turkish singer BULENT ERSOY has been acquitted of charges of criticising mandatory military service in her native country.
The star, who is one of Turkey's best-loved singers, was accused of saying on TV that if she ever had children, she would not want them to join the army to battle Kurdish separatists who are fighting for self-rule in the country .
Ersoy was put on trial in February (08) under laws which criminalise remarks deemed insulting to the state or its institutions.
If convicted, the 56-year-old faced a possible prison sentence of up to 30 months.
But at a hearing on Thursday (18Dec08), Ersoy was acquitted on the grounds of freedom of speech.
19 December 2008 12:22
