Turkish Nationalist Politician Jailed Over Calls to ‘Hunt for Armenians’

The Turkish Hurriyet Daily News writes that a Turkish nationalist politician has been jailed over controversial remarks suggesting “hunting for Armenians” after a concert last year by world-renowned Armenian pianist Tigran Hamasyan and the Yerevan State Chamber Choir gave a concert at ruins of the ancient city of Ani, on the Turkish border with Armenia, on June 21, 2015.

After the concert, Tolga Adıgüzel, the Kars provincial head of the “Idealist Hearths” (Ülkü Ocakları) issued a press statement “strongly” condemning the performance, questioning its “aims,” and accusing its supporters of “treason.” “Should we go out for hunting for Armenians in the streets of Kars? Can we give a concert at a place that they consider holy, or march our janissary band?” he had said.

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Garo Paylan had filed a lawsuit against Tolga Adıgüzel.As Hurriyet informs, the Kars third criminal court of first instance initially sentenced Adıgüzel to six months in prison, along with a pecuniary punishment of 11,240 Turkish Liras on May 25 on charges of “overtly insulting some segments of the public based on difference of social class, race, religion, sect, sexuality or region.” The court then increased the sentence to seven months and fifteen days as the crime was committed via the media, which carries a heavier sentence.Paylan described the court ruling as “hopeful” both for Armenians and for all parts of society in Turkey that believe in social peace and justice, vowing to fight against “all kinds of racist remarks and hate speech.”

Turkish Nationalist Politician Jailed Over Calls to ‘Hunt for Armenians’

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