Turkish judge halts 'free speech' trial of novelist

A judge halted the trial of Turkey’s best-known novelist today, saying the Justice Ministry must first approve the explosive legal case that raises questions about Turkey’s commitment to free speech.

Judge Metin Aydin’s insistence that the ministry first approve the trial against Orhan Pamuk for insulting national honour is forcing Turkey’s politicians to grapple with whether they are willing to press forward with a high-profile trial despite opposition from the European Union.