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Igdir prosecutor-general Mustafa Kichik: I am against removal of article 301 from Turkish Penal Code

02 February 2007 13:48 (UTC +04:00)

He expressed the essence of the article 301 which has been main topic of discussions lately.
â€œThis article is on insulting being a Turk, Jumhuriyyet (Republic) and state bodies and organizations. According to this article, insulting being a Turk, Jumhuriyyet (Republic) and state bodies before 2 and if convicted, the sentence ranges from 6 months to 3 years. According to the second item of the article, person, insulting Turkish government, army and justice bodies before 2 or more persons, may be sentenced from 6 months to 2 years. Besides there is such an item here that if a Turkish citizen insults being a Turk, Jumhuriyyet (Republic) and state bodies abroad, the imprisonment trebles. Criticizing these objects is not considered a crimeâ€?, he noted.
Mustafa Kichik stated that a number of nations live in Turkey.
â€œOur ancestors never disrespect non-Turkish nations or displayed discrimination. All the people living within Turkish borders enjoy equal rights. Now if some citizens show discrimination by saying â€œwe are Kurdishâ€?, â€œwe are Armeniansâ€? and disregard Turkey, it would â€œtouch my feelingsâ€? as a Turkish. No one has right to insult the country where he or she lives. But as a prosecutor I say if Turkish Parliament abolishes the article 301, we will execute the decisionâ€?, he noted. /APA/