Pianist Fazil Say on trial in Turkey

I wrote earlier about Turkish pianist Fazil Say's prosecution in Turkey for comments on Twitter. He appeared in court in Turkey on Thursday 18 October charged with insulting Islam; he is defending himself. The charges arise from jokey tweets which the pianist made earlier this year. Say has rejected the charges, calling for his acquittal. If found guilty he faces a maximum sentence of 18 months, which will probably be suspended.

Say has said in public that he is an atheist and also that he plan's to move to Japan.

Say's forthcoming engagements, as listed on his website, include a residency in Frankfurt (with the Istanbul Symphony Orchestra and the Haba Quartet), the 13th Antalya Piano Festival and appearances with the Bern Symphony Orchestra and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.