Turkish Culture Minister praises publisher Ragıp Zarakolu

PanARMENIAN.Net - Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay has praised prominent publisher Ragıp Zarakolu who was arrested for alleged links to an outlawed organization.

“[Zarakolu] is a valuable publisher and writer,” Günay told journalists when asked about his reaction to the arrest, Hurriyet daily News reported.

Zarakolu, along with Professor Büşra Ersanlı and 42 other suspects, was arrested in Istanbul on Tuesday for his alleged involvement with the outlawed Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), the alleged urban wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

“I have known him since my school years. Of course, I do not know the reason for the arrest warrant. Frankly, I would like to learn because I never heard about his involvement with any act of violence until now,” Günay said.

While testifying in court, Zarakolu said all the accusations directed against him concerned his intellectual activities.

“My actions are aimed at presenting my own contributions to find a solution for a problem that has been going on for years. To this effect, I am also invited this evening to an international meeting that will take place with the culture and tourism minister as host,” Zarakolu said.

Zarakolu is the head of the Turkish Publishers’ Union’s Committee for the Freedom of Publishing, as well as the recipient of numerous prestigious awards pertaining to the freedom of expression.

“These documents include various book drafts. My activities that are the subject of the accusations are entirely intellectual activities,” Zarakolu said about the documents that were seized from his flat by law enforcement officials.

“A worthy publisher and writer. What are the allegations about this friend of ours? As the public, we also have the right to know,” Günay said.