TRIAL OF TURKISH SCHOLAR BEGAN IN YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Turkish scholar indicted for smuggling stated he did not deliberately violate any law of the Republic of Armenia. This statement of Yektan Turkyilmaz addressed to the society and law-enforcement bodies was conveyed by her mother when, having visited her son yesterday, she met with journalists. Gulsin Turkyilmaz stated her son did not plead guilty, as he did not know there are laws of that kind in Armenia. It should be reminded that passenger of Yerevan-Istanbul flight, Turkish citizen Yektan Turkyilmaz was taken into custody at Zvartnots Armenian airport. 88 books of 17-20 centuries were discovered in his luggage and license was necessary to take 7 books out of the country, while he did not have it. Yektan Turkyilmaz is Istanbul resident and is a Duke University (North Carolina) Ph.D. His «interest» toward the culture of Armenia is diverse. He tried to take away medical books and literature, as well as books on history, geography and the formation of traditional parties in Armenia. In case of being recognized guilty, the Turkish scholar will face 4-8 years of imprisonment. The trial starts today. Turkish authorities are aware of the incident, however they undertake nothing, Mrs. Turkyilmaz said. It should be taken into account that Yektan Turkyilmaz is for recognition of the Armenian Genocide. However, in his lawyer Vardui Elbakyan's words, there are apprehensions that in case of being released and return to Turkey, proceedings may be instituted against him there, reported Armenpress.