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Turkish author on trial

ANKARA: A Turkish author went on trial on Thursday on charges of insulting the founder of modern Turkey in a biography about the revered late leader's wife, amid growing calls from the European Union to change repressive laws curbing freedom of expression. Ipek Calislar, the latest in a series of writers charged under Turkey's freedom-curbing laws, faces up to 4 years in prison if convicted of insulting Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The trial in Istanbul comes on the final day of a visit to Ankara by E.U. Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, who has pressured Turkey to abolish repressive laws and to improve freedoms. Mr. Rehn said Turkey must change Article 301 of its penal code — which sets out punishment for insulting the Turkish Republic or its officials. — AP

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