Turkish transsexual singer shows up for trial

[Natasha]

Turkish transsexual singer shows up for trial

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/09/24/europe/EU-Turkey-Singers-Trial.php
9/24/2008

ANKARA, Turkey: A popular transsexual Turkish singer has showed up for the second hearing of her trial on charges of trying to turn the public against obligatory military service.

Bulent Ersoy didn't appear at the opening of her trial June 18 and the court ordered her to be present Wednesday.

[Shana A]

Turkish transsexual singer faces army accusations
Wed 24 Sep 2008, 14:22 GMT

http://africa.reuters.com/odd/news/usnTRE48N5HG.html

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A popular Turkish transsexual singer who infuriated the country's powerful armed forces by questioning a military campaign against Kurdish separatists told a court on Wednesday she would rather die than be silent.

Bulent Ersoy is on trial on charges of "turning the people against military service" in a case that has raised concerns about free speech in the European Union candidate, where criticising the armed forces is taboo.

Ersoy, one of Turkey's most famous singers, caused a stir in February by saying that were she able to give birth to a son she would not allow him to fight in neighbouring Iraq, where the military had launched operations against Kurdish rebels.