*Popular
Kurdish singer accused of supporting rebels
ANKARA, March 24 (AFP) A Turkish court has launched legal proceedings
against popular Kurdish singer Ibrahim Tatlises, accused of financially
backing the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK), Anatolia reported Sunday.
The news agency said the proceedings were founded on a series of accusations
by Sevket Can Ozbay, a lawyer known for his ultra-nationalist stance.
Ozbay, representing families of Turkish soldiers killed in combat against
PKK members, has alleged Tatlises is responsible for financing the PKK
of up to 1.5 million US dollars (1.7 million euros).
He also accused the singer of looking after injured PKK fighters in
Istanbul hospitals, the agency reported.
Originally from Sanliurfa in southeastern Turkey, Tatlises is famous
for both his folkloric and pop songs.
Selling millions of CDs each year, he is also popular in both Arab countries
and Israel and has a strong following in Germany due to its large Turkish
population.
He has denied similar allegations in the past. |