Radical Islamists gathered around Madimak Hotel where the event was taking place and shouted for death to the infidels. One of the reasons (so-called reason) was that famous writer Aziz Nesin, who for a while has been expressing his ideas about Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses and to translate it into Turkish, was present in Sivas for the festival. The hotel was arsoned, flames engulfed several floors causing the death of 37 people among whom were many famous and precious musicians, poets, few foreigners, guests, staff of hotel and even 2 of the attackers. Aziz Nesin and many guests succeeded to escape from the murder. The event was seen as a major assault on free speech and human rights in Turkey, and it deepened the rift between religious and secular minded people.
On 28 November 1997, 33 of the accused, after a long judgment process in court (DGM) were sentenced to death. But because death penalty was abolished in 2002 in Turkey, their penalty was changed to life imprisonment.
Radical Islamists gathered around Madimak Hotel where the event was taking place and shouted for death to the infidels. One of the reasons (so-called reason) was that famous writer Aziz Nesin, who for a while has been expressing his ideas about Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses and to translate it into Turkish, was present in Sivas for the festival. The hotel was arsoned, flames engulfed several floors causing the death of 37 people among whom were many famous and precious musicians, poets, few foreigners, guests, staff of hotel and even 2 of the attackers. Aziz Nesin and many guests succeeded to escape from the murder. The event was seen as a major assault on free speech and human rights in Turkey, and it deepened the rift between religious and secular minded people.
On 28 November 1997, 33 of the accused, after a long judgment process in court (DGM) were sentenced to death. But because death penalty was abolished in 2002 in Turkey, their penalty was changed to life imprisonment.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement