A
Turkish nationalist politician has been sentenced to jail over
controversial remarks suggesting “hunting for Armenians” after a concert
last year by a renowned Armenian pianist in the ancient city of Ani in
the eastern province of Kars.
Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP)
deputy Garo Paylan had filed a lawsuit against Tolga Adıgüzel, the Kars
provincial head of the “Idealist Hearths” (Ülkü Ocakları), which has
organic ties to the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), after Adıgüzel
suggested “going out to hunt Armenians in the streets of Kars” as a
counter-move after the concert.
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. His sentence was postponed by the court.
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.”
World-renowned
Armenian pianist Tigran Hamasyan and the Yereven State Chamber Coir
gave a concert at Ani, on the Turkish border with Armenia, on June 21,
2015. After the concert, Adıgüzel 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