Skip to content
  • Common Currency
  • Campaigns
    • PENWrites
    • Writers at Risk
    • Writers in Residence
    • Free speech in the UK
  • News
  • Events
  • Translation
    • PEN Translates
    • PEN Transmissions
    • International Translation Day
    • The World Bookshelf
      • Books
      • Authors
      • Translators
    • PEN Presents
      • Issues
      • Books
      • Apply to PEN Presents
  • Prizes
    • PEN Pinter Prize
    • PEN Ackerley Prize
    • PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize
  • Donate
  • Join
Home > Campaigns > Omer ASAN

Omer ASAN


Age: 40

Profession: Writer of a acclaimed study of the language, culture and history of his home village in Trabzon, published as Pontus Kültürü (The Culture of the Pontus )in 1996. The book focuses on this traditionally Greek-speaking, Muslim community on the Black Sea coast.


The accusations: Around mid-December 2001, a Professor of Theology publicly condemned Asan during a TV discussion as being a traitor by associating with Pontic Greeks in the region who wanted to seize the derelict Byzantine monastry of Panagia Soumela. On 5 January 2002 Asan sought permission to respond to these accusations, which were ignored. However, on 12 January the same professor appeared again on the TV station denouncing Asan who was this time allowed to defend himself by telephone. On 19 January Asan appeared on the TV station in person on a discussion panel during which the same accusations were made against him. The discussion ended when the presenter accused Asan of insulting the memory of Ataturk, leading Asan to leave the studio.

Legal Action: On 21 January 2002, as a result of the TV debate, the State Security court ordered all copies of Asan’s book to be seized, and a summons was issued against him and his publisher to appear before the State Security Court on 25 January. The charges are of “separatist propaganda”. The result was that the case was forwarded to a civil court. On 25 March 2002, Asan was formally indicted under Law 3713 on charges of writings aimed at breaking state unity. He faces a penalty of between 14 months and 4 years in prison. First trial hearing held on 10 July 2002 before the Istanbul State Security Court no 6. Last hearing 8 November 2002.

Acquittal: In September 2003 Omer Asan was acquitted as a result of the abolition of Article 8 of the Anti-Terror Law.


Honorary Member: English PEN

Originally posted with the url: www.englishpen.org/writersinprison/writersinexile/omerasan/

Join our mailing list

Sign up to receive the latest English PEN news and events.

SIGN UP
  • About
  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Partners
  • Outreach
  • Jobs
  • Contact us

With thanks to our Core Funders

©1921 - 2023

English PEN is a company limited by guarantee number 5747142 (England & Wales) and a registered charity, number 1125610.

We use cookies to help us improve your experience on our website. By closing this notification or interacting with the website you agree to our use of cookies. ACCEPT Find out more
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT