The Constitutional Court of Turkey ruled that the demolition of the “Monument of Humanity” violated sculptor Mehmet Aksoy’s freedom of expression and arts and he shall be paid compensation. Six of the 14 members of the top court gave an opposing vote to the verdict, Bianet.org reported.
Speaking to the news outlet after the verdict, Aksoy said, “This verdict is an indication that the law is above individuals. This verdict is an indication of the freedoms of art and expression. My art, which was called a “freak,” has been acquitted as the monument of humanity.”
To remind, in a visit to city of Kars on January 8, 2011, then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the monument a “freak,” wanted it to be demolished.. An administrative court gave a verdict of suspension of execution regarding the demolition of the building, but the regional administrative court overturned that decision. The Mayor of Kars said at the time that the monument had been built as a gesture “in response to the Genocide Monument in Armenia”.
The Municipality of Kars then opened a tender for the demolition of the monument which wass done on April 26, 2011.
Aksoy filed a lawsuit for compensation against Erdogan for calling the monument a “freak.” Erdogan was sentenced to pay 10 thousand liras to Aksoy for non-pecuniary damages. But a local court overturned that verdict.
